XY system

proper noun

The system that determines the sex of humans, most other mammals, some insects (Drosophila), and some plants (Ginkgo), in which females have two of the same kind of sex cell (XX) and males have two distinct sex cells (XY).

Similar
XX-XY system
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Meanings

proper noun
  1. biologyThe system that determines the sex of humans, most other mammals, some insects (Drosophila), and some plants (Ginkgo), in which females have two of the same kind of sex cell (XX) and males have two distinct sex cells (XY).

    Synonyms: XX-XY system

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounThe system that determines the sex of humans, most other mammals, some insects (Drosophila), and some plants (Ginkgo), in which females have two of the same kind of sex cell (XX) and males have two distinct sex cells (XY).

Similar
XX-XY system
Also see
xx-xy system
Cite this entry
APA

XY system. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/XY%20system

MLA

“XY system.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/XY%20system. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “XY system,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/XY%20system.

Source: XY system on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.