noun
eukaryote
yoo-KA-ree-oht
Eukaryote (noun) means an organism, single-celled or multicellular, whose cells each hold a nucleus wrapped in its own membrane. Example: “Animals, plants and fungi are all eukaryotes.”
noun
1
technical An organism, single-celled or multicellular, whose cells each hold a nucleus wrapped in its own membrane.
"Animals, plants and fungi are all eukaryotes."
"A eukaryote's genetic material is enclosed within a nucleus."
"Scientists compared the cell structure of a eukaryote with that of a bacterium."
How to use eukaryote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA living thing whose cells have a proper nucleus.
When to use it
It is a technical term used mainly in biology.
Memory tip
Remember the key feature: a eukaryote's cell has a nucleus, a prokaryote's does not.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
prokaryote
Common pairings
single-celled eukaryote
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Animals, plants and fungi are all _____.
Etymology
Eukaryote was borrowed into English from French eucaryote. It is built from the Greek elements eu-, karyon and the ending -ote.
Antonyms
prokaryote
Rhymes for eukaryote
See all rhymes for eukaryote →Frequently asked questions
What is a eukaryote?
It is an organism whose cells each have a nucleus enclosed in a membrane, unlike simpler organisms that lack one.
What is an example of a eukaryote?
Animals, plants and fungi are all made up of eukaryotic cells.
What is the opposite of a eukaryote?
A prokaryote, an organism whose cells lack a distinct nucleus.
What is the meaning of eukaryote?
"eukaryote" (noun) means an organism, single-celled or multicellular, whose cells each hold a nucleus wrapped in its own membrane.
