What does the term 2N refer to?

The term 2N refers to the diploid number of chromosomes in a cell, indicating that there are two complete sets of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent. In humans, for example, the diploid number is 46 (2N = 46), which consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes. This term is often used in genetics to describe the chromosomal configuration of somatic (body) cells as opposed to gametes, which are haploid (N) and contain only one set of chromosomes.