heritability

noun

her·​i·​ta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌher-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌhe-rə-

1

: the quality or state of being heritable

2

: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (such as height) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones

Examples of heritability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also the heritability of making it to 100 is fairly high and the group is very small so genetics and luck will also play big roles. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

Understanding a fly’s blueprint for heritability and how their brains are wired (all 139,255 neurons and their 54.5 million synapses) is a path to better understanding the natural world, including ourselves. —Barrett Klein, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

Similarly, the high heritability of the 12-minute results don’t reflect the effects of, say, 100-mile weeks. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2024

For example, the study found that parents who have neurodevelopmental disorders — which have strong heritability — are also more likely to use pain medications, like acetaminophen, during pregnancy. —Mira Cheng, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

herit(able) + -ability

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

heritability

noun

her·​i·​ta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌher-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural heritabilities

1

: the quality or state of being heritable

2

: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (as intelligence) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones