genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic | \ jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce genetic (audio) \
variants: or less commonly genetical \ jə-​ˈne-​ti-​kəl How to pronounce genetical (audio) \

Definition of genetic

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something
2a : of, relating to, or involving genetics
b : of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes a genetic disease genetic variation

Definition of -genetic (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : -genic sense 1 organogenetic
2 : -genic sense 2 psychogenetic

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Other Words from genetic

Adjective

genetically \ jə-​ˈne-​ti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce genetically (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for genetic

Synonyms: Adjective

hereditary, heritable, inborn, inheritable, inherited

Antonyms: Adjective

nonhereditary

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Examples of genetic in a Sentence

Adjective

hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

In my own family, two of my four children have cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease impacting the lungs and digestive system, requiring daily treatment and diligence to ensure enough calories are consumed and to keep fragile lungs clear. Kristan Hawkins, National Review, "Creating Disposable Babies — Yes We Can, but Should We?," 19 July 2019 If proven effective, the drug will become the first therapy that changes the course of the fatal genetic disease. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Experimental Huntington’s disease drug can be given less frequently," 1 July 2019 Grayston was born with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, "Rockies’ Nolan Arenado fulfills Make-A-Wish dream for fellow baseball fanatic," 29 June 2019 Bliesner, an Oregon City resident who had fought a rare genetic disease since childhood, was struggling because her health prevented her from having children. oregonlive.com, "A Portland woman carried twin babies for her twin sister, who has a genetic disease. They were born healthy this month.," 21 June 2019 Researchers agree that the technology might, one day, help to eliminate genetic diseases such as sickle-cell anaemia and cystic fibrosis, but much more testing is needed before it is used in the alteration of human beings. David Cyranoski, Scientific American, "Russian Biologist Plans More CRISPR-Edited Babies," 11 June 2019 For example, to treat a genetic disease, scientists can harvest cells from a person's organ, repair those cells' genes with Crispr, and reintroduce the modified cells to that organ to repopulate it. Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "First gene-edited babies may be at risk of early death," 3 June 2019 Diagnosed with a deadly genetic disease as a child, Megan Crowley wanted to do more than just survive it. Geeta Anand, WSJ, "Doctors Said She’d Die Before High School. But She Wanted to Go to College.," 1 June 2019 Some genetic diseases, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, are passed on from one generation to another by a single defective gene. Anna Groves, Discover Magazine, "Human Gene Editing is Controversial. Shoukhrat Mitalipov Isn't Deterred," 15 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genetic.' 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 genetic

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for genetic

Adjective

genesis

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More Definitions for genetic

genetic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of genetic

: of, relating to, or involving genes

genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic | \ jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce genetic (audio) \

Kids Definition of genetic

: of or relating to genes or genetics genetic research

genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic | \ jə-ˈnet-ik How to pronounce genetic (audio) \
variants: also genetical \ -​i-​kəl How to pronounce genetical (audio) \

Medical Definition of genetic

1 : of, relating to, or involving genetics
2 : of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes a genetic disease genetic material — compare acquired sense 1

Other Words from genetic

genetically \ -​i-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce genetically (audio) \ adverb

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