mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
| \ myü-ˈtā-shən
\
\
Definition of mutation
1
: a significant and basic alteration : change
2
: umlaut
3a
: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and that occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction
Mutations known to cause disease have been identified in approximately 1000 genes.— Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins
also
: the process of producing a mutation
Microorganisms have been used extensively to study mutation … — George A. Wistreich et al.
b
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
The worst E. coli bacterium, E. coli 0157:H, a mutation discovered in 1982 that has at least sixty-two subtypes, causes hemorrhagic colitis …— Wayne Biddle
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Other Words from mutation
mutational
\ myü-ˈtā-shnəl
, -shə-nᵊl \
adjective
, -shə-nᵊl \
adjective
mutationally
adverb
Examples of mutation in a Sentence
The cat's short tail is the result of mutation.
The condition is caused by a genetic mutation.
The cat's short tail is the result of a mutation.
The building is a mutation of the original design.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Certain versions of these genes have mutations that hinder the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, "More women should consider BRCA test to assess breast cancer risk, new guidelines say," 20 Aug. 2019 Today, his method is used to detect genetic mutations that can lead to diagnoses of diseases, like sickle cell anemia; analyze ancient sources of DNA, like bones; assist in obtaining crime scene evidence; and determine paternity. — New York Times, "Kary B. Mullis, 74, Dies; Found a Way to Analyze DNA and Won Nobel," 15 Aug. 2019 Now On average, each patient harbored about 66 such founder mutations. — Alice Park, Time, "Promising Blood Test Could Help to Predict Breast Cancer Recurrence," 8 Aug. 2019 Most mutations are either bad for the virus or have no effect on it. — Richard Preston, The New Yorker, "Is Ebola Evolving Into a More Deadly Virus?," 7 Aug. 2019 Shanafelt said that such mutations have been identified among patients taking the drug, albeit rarely. — Michael Nedelman, CNN, "Chemo-free drug combo shows 'dramatic' improvement against common leukemia in adults," 31 July 2019 In most environments, that mutation would have been fatal. — Quanta Magazine, "Icefish Study Adds Another Color to the Story of Blood," 22 Apr. 2019 The cause of the cancer was a spontaneous genetic mutation. — Jon Caldara, The Denver Post, "Caldara: Colorado is ready for a reasonable abortion debate," 14 June 2019 Because of a random genetic mutation, the plant’s branches were shorter than normal. — Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, "A New Green Revolution: Scientists Are Using CRISPR to Re-domesticate Fruits and Vegetables," 15 Apr. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mutation.' 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 mutation
mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
| \ myü-ˈtā-shən
\
\
Kids Definition of mutation
: a change in a gene or the resulting new trait it produces in an individual
mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
| \ myü-ˈtā-shən
\
\
Medical Definition of mutation
1
: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction
also
: the process of producing a mutation
2
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
Other Words from mutation
mutational
\ -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl
\
adjective
\
adjective
mutationally
\ -ē
\
adverb
\
adverb
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