epigenetic
adjective
epi·ge·net·ic
| \ ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-tik
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Definition of epigenetic
1a
: of, relating to, or produced by the chain of developmental processes in epigenesis that lead from genotype to phenotype after the initial action of the genes
b
: relating to, being, or involving changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence
epigenetic inheritance
2
of a deposit or structure
: formed after the laying down of the enclosing rock
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Other Words from epigenetic
epigenetically
\ ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-ti-k(-ə)lē
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adverb
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adverb
Examples of epigenetic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But experiments in many organisms suggested epigenetic inheritance was real. — Andrew Curry, Science | AAAS, "Parents’ emotional trauma may change their children’s biology. Studies in mice show how," 18 July 2019 How can these epigenetic changes affect the traits that natural selection can act on — and therefore the future course of evolution? — Quanta Magazine, "Finding the Actions That Alter Evolution," 5 Jan. 2017 Still, mouse data in hand, Mansuy has been looking for similar epigenetic changes in people. — Andrew Curry, Science | AAAS, "Parents’ emotional trauma may change their children’s biology. Studies in mice show how," 18 July 2019 Research has found that epigenetic marks decorate mRNAs like Christmas lights on a fence. — Ken Garber, Science | AAAS, "Hidden layer of gene control influences everything from cancer to memory," 1 July 2019 The list ranges from tobacco smoke to pesticides, flame retardants to obesity, all of which can have epigenetic effects. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "THC Could Affect Men's Sperm, New Study Says," 20 Dec. 2018 Biologists have learned that experiences and environmental insults like chemicals during childhood can leave epigenetic traces. — John Hawks, WSJ, "‘Lamarck’s Revenge’ Review: Inheriting the Wrong Ideas," 16 Aug. 2018 But considering that advanced epigenetic technology has already begun trickling down into the skincare market, these most recent findings may well be a strong harbinger of what's to come in the pursuit of eternal youth. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Scientists Have Found a Way to Reverse Wrinkles and Hair Loss, According to an "Unprecedented" New Study," 23 July 2018 The team hope to spot epigenetic patterns that will both give away those cells which are infected and help explain how HIV genes in a cell’s nucleus are activated and deactivated. — The Economist, "HIV+ volunteers are bequeathing their organs to a new project," 31 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epigenetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for epigenetic
epigenetic
adjective
epi·ge·net·ic
| \ -jə-ˈnet-ik
\
\
Medical Definition of epigenetic
1
: of, relating to, or produced by epigenesis
the epigenetic nature of vertebrate development
2
: relating to, being, or involving a modification in gene expression that is independent of the DNA sequence of a gene
epigenetic carcinogenesis epigenetic inheritance Methylation is one of many epigenetic signals—chemical changes to DNA and its associated proteins—that modify gene activity without altering the genetic information itself.— Tina Hesman Saey, Science News, 14 Feb. 2009
Other Words from epigenetic
epigenetically
\ -i-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb