heritable

adjective

her·​i·​ta·​ble ˈher-ə-tə-bəl How to pronounce heritable (audio)
ˈhe-rə-
1
: capable of being inherited or of passing by inheritance
2

Examples of heritable in a Sentence

heritable characteristics like skin and eye and hair color
Recent Examples on the Web Opponents of genetic engineering will call for an outright ban on genetic enhancement and heritable human genetic modification. Jamie F. Metzl, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2014 Share [Findings] Sets of both fraternal and identical twins exhibit internally similar metacognitive abilities, suggesting that metacognition is environmental rather than heritable. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 17 July 2024 The trait appears to be as heritable as many other traits that breeders routinely select for, and breeders have already begun incorporating methane production into their selection criteria for Canadian dairy cattle, Irish beef cattle and New Zealand sheep. Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2024 The trait appears to be as heritable as many other traits that breeders routinely select for, and breeders have already begun incorporating methane production into their selection criteria for Canadian dairy cattle, Irish beef cattle, and New Zealand sheep. Bob Holmes, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for heritable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heritable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from heriter "to inherit, make an heir" + -able -able — more at heritage

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heritable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near heritable

Cite this Entry

“Heritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heritable. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

heritable

adjective
her·​i·​ta·​ble ˈher-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce heritable (audio)
: capable of being inherited : hereditary
heritable differences in structure

Medical Definition

heritable

adjective
her·​i·​ta·​ble ˈher-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce heritable (audio)
: hereditary
one of several heritable childhood cancersW. K. Cavenee et al.

Legal Definition

heritable

adjective
her·​i·​ta·​ble ˈher-ə-tə-bəl How to pronounce heritable (audio)

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