gene

noun

ˈjēn 

plural genes

: 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

And this year, the International Olympic Committee announced a new policy, beginning with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, that allows only biological females, based on a one‑time SRY gene screening. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Comments from athletes about the gene screening, including those made by tennis stars Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, are being closely scrutinized by fans on both sides of the dispute. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Aug. 2026

In one series of experiments, Cao and his team processed 21 million cells, sampled from 14 tissues or organs in about 50 male and female mice at five life stages, and built a data set of gene expression for each cell. — Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026

Notably, an analogous gene swap had previously been shown to be nonviable when introduced into ΦX174 through conventional genetic engineering. — Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gene

• gene conversion
• gene editing
• gene flow
• gene frequency
• gene mutation
• gene pool
• gene-splicing
• gene therapy
• lethal gene
• regulator gene
• regulatory gene
• structural gene
• tumor suppressor gene

Rhymes for gene

• bean
• bein
• bien
• bouin
• clean
• deen
• acetylcysteine
• antisubmarine
• dichlorobenzene
• dimethylamine
• diphenylamine
• ethanolamine

Kids Definition

gene

noun

ˈjēn 

: a part of DNA or sometimes RNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that contains chemical information needed to make a particular protein (as an enzyme) controlling or influencing an inherited bodily trait or activity (as eye color or metabolism) or that influences or controls the activity of another gene or genes

Medical Definition

gene

noun

ˈjēn 

: 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