gene

noun

\ ˈjēn

plural genes

Definition of gene

: 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 The pathways for the gene have been associated with conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, "Studying Neanderthal mini-brains, scientists unlock clues to modern human evolution," 12 Feb. 2021 Gamaleya uses two different Ad vectors that contain the spike gene for its priming and booster shots: Ad26 followed by Ad5. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "Should you mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? Scientists are seeking answers," 12 Feb. 2021 The HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center brought its third-generation gene sequencing instruments to the mission led by HudsonAlpha researchers Jane Grimwood and Jeremy Schmutz. — Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, "Alabama scientists move America closer to more biofuel," 12 Feb. 2021 Nelsen, whose firm Arch Venture Partners is a major Resilience investor, wanted to focus on creating better ways to make treatments for viral outbreaks, as well as next-generation medicines such as cell and gene therapies. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Sanofi prepares to transfer Allston plant to a new company, but not its city tax breaks," 10 Feb. 2021 To learn more about testing for your BRCA gene status, check out beBRCAware. — Korin Miller, Good Housekeeping, "What You Should Know About Your BRCA Status And Ovarian Cancer Risk," 9 Feb. 2021 To combat the lack of genetic diversity in the corpse flower and six other species with shallow gene pools, the Chicago Botanic Garden spearheaded the Tools and Resources for Endangered and Exceptional Plant Species (TREES) program in 2019. — Doug Johnson, Wired, "Can This Group Revive the Finicky Corpse Flower?," 16 Jan. 2021 Several cancers, including breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, prostate, pancreatic, and colon cancers, have been linked to harmful BRCA gene mutations. — Korin Miller, Woman's Day, "Why This Breast Cancer Warrior Urges Others With The Disease to Get Genetic Testing," 3 Dec. 2020 In 2019, for instance, scientists organized a debate at Wiston House, a posh 16th century manor south of London, in part to mull whether the process helped control gene activity. — Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, "Sloppy science or groundbreaking idea? Theory for how cells organize contents divides biologists," 21 Jan. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

20 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for gene

gene

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gene

biology : a part of a cell that controls or influences the appearance, growth, etc., of a living thing

See the full definition for gene in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gene

noun

\ ˈjēn

Kids Definition of gene

: a unit of DNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that controls the development of one or more traits and is the basic unit by which genetic information is passed from parent to offspring

gene

noun

\ ˈjēn