mutation

mu·ta·tion

noun \myü-ˈtā-shən\

Definition of MUTATION

1

: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material involving either a physical change in chromosome relations or a biochemical change in the codons that make up genes; also : the process of producing a mutation

2

: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation

—mu·ta·tion·al \-shnəl, -shən-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—mu·ta·tion·al·ly \-ē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb