heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈre-də-tē 

1

a

: inheritance

b

: tradition

2

a

: the sum of the characteristics and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors

b

: the transmission of such qualities from ancestor to descendant through the genes

Examples of heredity in a Sentence

Heredity plays no part in the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

Zoologist Charles Davenport created the Cold Spring Harbor Eugenics Record Office in 1910 to pursue his interests in evolution, breeding and human heredity. —Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025

Genetics, heredity, or health conditions may determine the characteristics defining these groups. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

Genetics and heredity may play a role, and lifestyle factors may also contribute.2 Unknown Causes of Precancerous Cells and Pancreas Tumors Risk factors are not causes. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

And both relied on the xenophobic logic and pseudoscientific understandings of heredity that define eugenics. —Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French heredité, borrowed from Latin hērēditāt-, hērēditās "inheritance," from hērēd-, hērēs heir entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē 

plural heredities

1

: the genes and the genetic traits whose expression they control that are passed on from one's parents

2

: the passing on of genes and genetic traits from parent to offspring

Medical Definition

heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē 

plural heredities

1

: the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors

2

: the transmission of traits from ancestor to descendant through the molecular mechanism lying primarily in the DNA or RNA of the genes compare meiosis