phe·no·type
ˈfē-nə-ˌtīp
plural phenotypes
1
: the observable characteristics or traits of an organism that are produced by the interaction of the genotype and the environment : the physical expression of one or more genes
Considering that modern maize is a tetraploid, it is remarkable how many single gene mutations cause profound changes in phenotype.—Virginia Walbot
A breed is a group of genetically related individuals with a common phenotype—physical characteristics, such as ear and muzzle shapes, and behavioral tendencies, such as those of a retriever to swim or a border collie to herd …—Mark Derr
Phenotype is how that DNA physically manifests itself—in this case, as the susceptibility to disease, or the progression of disease, or the susceptibility of the disease itself to treatment, all of which likely have a genetic component.—Gary Taubes
2
: the observable characteristics or traits of a disease
… a mild disorder whose clinical phenotype overlaps with that of the Marfan syndrome …—Petros Tsipouras et al.
phenotypic
adjective
or less commonly phenotypical
phenotypic variation
phenotypic expression
phenotyped; phenotyping; phenotypes
: to determine, analyze, or predict all or part of a phenotype of
Red cells were phenotyped as M + or M -.—Raymond L. Comenzo et al.
… a team … recently decided to examine the data collected so far to determine how many of the phenotyped mice had eye problems.—Michelle Wong
The asthma in these patients was not phenotyped. We do not have any information regarding the eosinophil count or other markers such as exhaled oral nitric oxide in these subjects.—Faria Nasim
Cite this Entry
“Phenotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenotype. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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