plural genes
: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
Examples of gene in a Sentence
She inherited a good set of genes from her parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
About 100 genes have been associated with autism, and if one identical twin has autism, the other twin has an 80% chance of also having autism, suggesting a strong genetic link.
—
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Researchers analyzed ancient genes to pinpoint the time period, which is slightly more recent than previous estimates for the mating.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
How Neanderthal ancestry has shaped human genes The research in Science found that genetic variants inherited from our Neanderthal ancestors are unevenly distributed across the human genome.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
The gene flow also provides insight on the spread of Neanderthal genes once humans began settling in other areas of the world.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Researchers analyzed ancient genes to pinpoint the time period, which is slightly more recent than previous estimates for the mating.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
How Neanderthal ancestry has shaped human genes The research in Science found that genetic variants inherited from our Neanderthal ancestors are unevenly distributed across the human genome.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
The gene flow also provides insight on the spread of Neanderthal genes once humans began settling in other areas of the world.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gene
Dictionary Entries Near gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gene
noun
: a part of DNA or sometimes RNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that contains chemical information needed to make a particular protein (as an enzyme) controlling or influencing an inherited bodily trait or activity (as eye color or metabolism) or that influences or controls the activity of another gene or genes
Medical Definition
gene
noun
: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
called also determinant, determiner, factor
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share