Clone
/kloʊn/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn organism or cell, usually produced asexually, that is genetically identical to the parent organism.
/kloʊn/
A genetic copy
The scientists successfully cloned a mouse.
💡 Simply: Imagine copying and pasting something—that's a clone! It's an exact copy of something else, like a plant or even a piece of computer data.
👶 For kids: It's like making an exact copy of something!
More Examples
This software allows you to create a clone of your entire hard drive.
How It's Used
"Scientists created a clone of the sheep."
"They made a clone of the hard drive."
To produce an exact copy of (a cell, organism, or gene) by asexual reproduction.
/kloʊn/
To create a genetic copy
The researchers are working to clone endangered species.
💡 Simply: Cloning is like making a perfect copy. Imagine copying a picture perfectly - that's cloning!
👶 For kids: It's like making an exact copy of something!
More Examples
I cloned the file to have a backup copy.
How It's Used
"They are attempting to clone extinct animals."
"The program can clone files quickly."
Idioms & expressions
Carbon copy
An exact duplicate or imitation.
"He was a carbon copy of his father."
From Greek *klōn* 'twig', 'slip', referring to the propagation of plants by cuttings.
The term's biological meaning emerged in the 20th century, though the root word has much older origins in horticulture.
Memory tip
Think of 'clone' as a carbon copy.
Word Origin
"twig, slip (referring to plant propagation)"