gene

play

noun \ˈjēn\

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

See gene defined for English-language learners

See gene defined for kids

Examples of gene in a Sentence

She inherited a good set of genes from her parents.

Recent Examples of gene from the Web

But that was sidetracked when the Bachelor alum tested positive for a gene that links her to a high risk of cancer.

— megan friedman, Cosmopolitan, "Bachelor Alum Lesley Murphy Is Sharing Raw Photos of Her Double Mastectomy and Breast Implant Surgery," 5 July 2017
The study of genes, called genetics, has been around for decades.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What is genomics, and how can it help you?," 2 July 2017
Perhaps the superior genes contained within these species have already found their way off Borneo and into modern mangos.

— noris ledesma, miamiherald, "Taming the wild mango," 22 June 2017
Researchers now have a more complete picture of how fused, garbled, or incomplete genes can cause malignant cells to grow at multiple sites in the body.

— anna edney, Bloomberg.com, "FDA to Clear Path for Drugs Aimed at Cancer-Causing Genes," 20 June 2017
But this nonsensical spectacle — which features what look like dancing sperm cells — is also a funny and audacious metaphor: In the gene pool of ideas, some may well prove fertile.

— pat padua, star-telegram.com, "Cate Blanchett delivers a stirring ‘Manifesto’," 19 June 2017
Led by Annika Axelsson, of Lund University Diabetes Centre in Sweden, the scientists created a genetic profile for Type 2 diabetes based on 50 key genes, alterations of which are associated with the disease.

— jessica wapner, MSNBC Newsweek, "Sulforaphane, a Chemical in Broccoli, May Help Diabetics Control Blood Sugar," 15 June 2017
The selective activation or repression of genes allows an individual cell to acquire its identity and to perform its function.

— anya groner, Longreads, "Twinless in Twinsburg," 9 June 2017
Today, there are promising gene and protein therapies on the horizon, but these are still in clinical trials.

— ellen mccarthy, chicagotribune.com, "A little girl's butterfly skin and 'the worst disease you've never heard of'," 31 May 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of gene

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1909

See Words from the same year

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

GENE Defined for English Language Learners

gene

play

noun

Definition of gene for English Language Learners

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

GENE Defined for Kids

gene

play

noun \ˈjēn\

Definition of gene for Students

: 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

Medical Dictionary

gene

play

noun \ˈjēn\

Medical 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—called also determinant, determiner, factor