1 penetrance | Definition of penetrance
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

penetrance

noun
pen·​e·​trance | \ ˈpe-nÉ™-trÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce penetrance (audio) \

Definition of penetrance

: the proportion of individuals of a particular genotype that express its phenotypic effect in a given environment

Examples of penetrance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The clues are all there: People in countries with a greater Internet penetrance report lower empathy. — Jamil Zaki, Scientific American, "The Technology of Kindness," 6 Aug. 2019 Research suggests that random fluctuations in gene activity could explain some instances of the phenomenon, known as partial penetrance, which likely plays a role in some human diseases. — Quanta Magazine, "Inside the Din, Cells Fight Noise With Noise," 22 May 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'penetrance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of penetrance

1934, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for penetrance

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin penetrare

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for penetrance

penetrance

noun
pen·​e·​trance | \ ˈpen-É™-trÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce penetrance (audio) \

Medical Definition of penetrance

: the proportion of individuals of a particular genotype that express its phenotypic effect in a given environment — compare expressivity

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!