homologous
adjective
ho·mol·o·gous hō-ˈmä-lə-gəs 
hə-
1
a
: having the same relative position, value, or structure: such as
(1)
biology : exhibiting biological homology
(2)
biology : having the same or allelic genes with genetic loci usually arranged in the same order
homologous chromosomes
b
chemistry : belonging to or consisting of a chemical series (see series sense 6) whose successive members have a regular difference in composition especially of one methylene group
2
biology : derived from or developed in response to organisms of the same species
a homologous tissue graft
Did you know?
In his famous discussion of the panda's thumb, Stephen Jay Gould carefully explains how this thumb is not homologous to the human thumb. Although the two digits are used in much the same way (the panda's thumb is essential for stripping bamboo of its tasty leaves, the staple of the panda's diet), the panda's thumb developed from a bone in its wrist and is an addition to the five "fingers" of its paw. The tiny stirrup and anvil bones of our inner ear, however, do seem to be homologous with the bones that allow a garter snake to swallow a frog whole.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In general, these have shown it’s about as good as, and in some cases better than, a homologous regimen. 
Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2021 The OriCiro Assembly Kit is a one-step process to assemble multiple DNA fragments to form a circular DNA molecule via the homologous overlapping ends. John Cumbers, Forbes, 6 July 2021 Random mutations make the sequences diverge over time, but homologous genes (or homologs) can still be sorted into families by their similarities. Quanta Magazine, 9 Apr. 2020 This type of gene disruption — called non-homologous end joining — is being used in sickle-cell and thalassemia trials. Fox News, 13 June 2018
Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic, 14 Oct. 2021 The OriCiro Assembly Kit is a one-step process to assemble multiple DNA fragments to form a circular DNA molecule via the homologous overlapping ends. John Cumbers, Forbes, 6 July 2021 Random mutations make the sequences diverge over time, but homologous genes (or homologs) can still be sorted into families by their similarities. Quanta Magazine, 9 Apr. 2020 This type of gene disruption — called non-homologous end joining — is being used in sickle-cell and thalassemia trials. Fox News, 13 June 2018 Word History
Etymology
Greek homologos agreeing, from hom- + legein to say — more at legend
First Known Use
1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
homologous
adjective
ho·mol·o·gous hō-ˈmäl-ə-gəs, hə-
1
a
: having the same relative position, value, or structure: as
(1)
: exhibiting biological homology
(2)
: having the same or allelic genes with genetic loci usually arranged in the same order
homologous chromosomes
b
: belonging to or consisting of a chemical series whose members exhibit homology
2
a
: derived from or involving organisms of the same species
homologous tissue grafts
compare autologous, heterologous sense 1 b
: relating to or being immunity or a serum produced by or containing a specific antibody corresponding to a specific antigen
homologous
adjective
as in analogous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- analogous
- related
- comparable
- homological
- homogeneous
- akin
- equivalent
- homogenous
- similar
- parallel
- uniform
- tantamount
- identical
- like
- same
- kin
- kindred
- indistinguishable
- alike
- equal
- selfsame
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- different
- dissimilar
- other
- unlike
- diverse
- distinguishable
- nonidentical
- distinct
- distant
- disparate
- distinctive
- various
- several
- variant
- mixed
- varied
- miscellaneous
- unalike
- sundry
- differentiable
- discriminable
- divers