Cloning

/ˈkloʊnɪŋ/

nounIntermediate📊CommonScience
1 meaning1 question

Definitions

1

The creation of an exact genetic copy of a biological entity.

/ˈkloʊnɪŋ/

nounneutralIntermediate
Science

The process of creating a genetically identical copy.

Scientists are working on human cloning.

💡 Simply: Imagine making a perfect copy of something, like copying a plant from a small cutting to make a new, identical plant. That's cloning!

👶 For kids: Making an exact copy of something!

More Examples

2

The software uses cloning to backup important data.

How It's Used

Biology

"The experiment involved the cloning of sheep."

Technology

"Data cloning is a common backup strategy."

From "clone", coined in the 1960s from the Greek word "klōn," meaning "twig" or "slip," referring to the propagation of plants from cuttings. The scientific meaning emerged later with the development of genetic cloning.

Initially used in botany, the term 'cloning' took on its modern scientific meaning in the latter half of the 20th century with advancements in genetics.

Memory tip

Think of a plant cutting that grows into an identical plant.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"twig, slip (referring to plant propagation)"

Base: clone
human cloninggenetic cloningtherapeutic cloningreproductive cloningcloning technology

Common misspellings

clonningcloaning

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written