mutate

verb

mutated; mutating

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation
mutative adjective

Examples of mutate in a Sentence

a disease that mutates genes in humans a group of mutated genes Over time, her feelings mutated from hatred into love. opera singers mutating into pop stars
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That matters, because scientists are working on therapies targeting some of the 40-plus genes that, when mutated, cause ALS. Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025 Researchers think this bird flu strain mutated to be milder to humans than other variants spreading in the wild. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025 The reassuring—and less reassuring—news Despite the fact that the virus mutated in the patient, the CDC scientists say that scenario is slightly more reassuring than if a version of the virus that is more adapted to human infection was found in wild birds or chickens. Alice Park, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025 Finally, the host’s genome must eventually mutate to accommodate the bacterium — allowing the two to evolve as a unit. Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mutate 

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutatus, past participle of mutare

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutate was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near mutate

Cite this Entry

“Mutate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutate. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

mutate

verb
mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt How to pronounce mutate (audio)
mutated; mutating
: to undergo or cause to undergo mutation

Medical Definition

mutate

verb
mutated; mutating

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation
mutative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on mutate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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