GMO
Americanabbreviation
abbreviation
Usage
What is a GMO? GMO is an abbreviation for genetically modified organism. A GMO is any living thing that has had its genetics altered through genetic engineering.Typically, a GMO is created by first inserting a gene into the DNA of a single cell of an organism. Next, the scientist will stimulate the growth of this cell so that it quickly replicates. Eventually, the cell will replicate to such a point that all of the organism’s cells contain the modified gene that was originally inserted.A GMO can be any living thing, from a bacteria to a cow. The GMOs that most people are familiar with are genetically modified crops. Farmers will grow corn or other crops that have been modified to be resistant to chemicals like herbicides or have been modified to repel insects. GMOs can be appealing to farmers because they are easier to grow and can lower farmers’ costs.Besides plants, organisms such as bacteria and farm animals have been turned into GMOs. Bacteria have been modified to produce helpful chemicals such as insulin, and farm animals have had their genes modified to protect them from deadly diseases that would endanger large groups of animals.
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A high percentage of food crops, such as corn and soybeans, are genetically modified.
Etymology
Origin of GMO
First recorded in 1985–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But “quality” is no magic formula for the larger companies most investors own, according to veteran quality stock manager Tom Hancock of GMO.
Tina Vandersteel, who runs GMO’s emerging country debt team, sees a once-in-a-generation opportunity in local-denominated debt in emerging markets with the asset class extremely cheap, currencies poised to strengthen, and a generous carry, or interest-rate pickup versus U.S. bonds.
From Barron's
Grantham is the co-founder of GMO, the Boston-based investment firm.
From MarketWatch
In a recent 2026 outlook event at GMO, Grantham said:
From MarketWatch
GMO calculates that, historically, a 1% increase in the stock market’s total market capitalization because of IPOs corresponds to a 7.5% decrease in the market’s subsequent 12-month return.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
