gene

noun
\ ˈjēn How to pronounce gene (audio) \
plural genes

Definition of gene

: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material

Examples of gene in a Sentence

She inherited a good set of genes from her parents.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rodents share around 80 percent of their genes with humans and undergo a number of similar biological processes, which is why they are often used as human proxies by medical scientists. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Remembering Liane Russell, the Geneticist Who Studied Radiation’s Harmful Effects on Embryos," 26 Aug. 2019 Studies of twins finds only about 25% of our optimism is programmed by our genes. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Want to live longer? Be an optimist, study says," 26 Aug. 2019 Jackson blames his genes for the incident—his father had two heart attacks, maybe three. Greg Bishop, SI.com, "“I Failed Tremendously”: Hue Jackson on the Blues After the Browns," 22 Aug. 2019 Students from some progressive school districts have also learned to call race a social construct, the product of history and government policy, not of our genes. Charles King, Time, "American Students Are Taught Racism Is Bad—But They're Still Not Learning the Truth About Race," 6 Aug. 2019 This could mean they weren’t eaten, poisoned, or infected and were thus around to pass on their genes compared with those who didn’t know to stay away. Natasha Lavender, SELF, "Is Trypophobia Really a Fear of Holes or Something Else Entirely?," 26 July 2019 In addition to their remorseless lifestyles there were the disgraceful odds offered by their genes. Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "The Alps," 22 July 2019 Many atheists believe religion is an atavistic impulse rooted in our genes. Jonah Goldberg, National Review, "Political Leanings Can’t Be Reduced to Genetic Programming," 10 July 2019 Poor sanitation and filthy hospitals made perfect habitats for the spread of superbugs—especially bacteria with the alarming ability to pass their drug-resistant genes to other species of bacteria. The Economist, "Attack of the superbugs: July 2041," 5 July 2019

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

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First Known Use of gene

1909, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gene

German Gen, short for Pangen, from pan- + -gen

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More Definitions for gene

gene

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gene

biology : a part of a cell that controls or influences the appearance, growth, etc., of a living thing

gene

noun
\ ˈjēn How to pronounce gene (audio) \

Kids Definition of gene

: a unit of DNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that controls the development of one or more traits and is the basic unit by which genetic information is passed from parent to offspring

gene

noun
\ ˈjēn How to pronounce gene (audio) \

Medical Definition of gene

: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material

called also determinant, determiner, factor

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