gene

\ 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 George Church, a Harvard and MIT geneticist and co-founder of CRISPR is the head of the Harvard Woolly Mammoth Revival team, a project that is in attempting to introduce mammoth genes into the Asian elephant for conservation purposes. — Fox News, "Woolly mammoths had a horrible and miserable end, study says," 11 Feb. 2020 People who report being chronically lonely may have an overexpression of genes connected to cells that produce an inflammatory response to tissue damage, according to a 2011 study of 93 adults. — Ashley Hayes, CNN, "Loneliness: 5 things you may not know," 9 Feb. 2020 In a single dose, Zolgensma replaces the function of the defective or missing gene that causes SMA and enables patients to function normally. — Sally C. Pipes, Fortune, "How this gene therapy drug earned it’s $2.1 million price tag," 8 Feb. 2020 So, as genetic-sequencing technology has become cheaper and faster, cancer scientists are using it to check which changes to genes cause tumours to spread. — The Economist, "Advancing oncology Scientists reveal the most extensive genetic map of cancers ever made," 8 Feb. 2020 The current clinical trials use injectable drugs designed with gene-silencing technologies to target the process that produces Lp(a). — Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston Chronicle, "Little-known cardiovascular disease risk factor target for potential new treatment," 7 Feb. 2020 The other thing that contributes to the severity of the infection is the proteins the virus produces, Different genes mean different proteins; more virulent coronaviruses may have spike proteins better at latching onto human cells. — Sara Harrison, Wired, "Ask the Know-It-Alls: What Is a Coronavirus?," 7 Feb. 2020 The proteins’ shapes are determined by the virus’s genes. — Katie Camero, WSJ, "Scientists Link China Coronavirus to Intersection of Humans and Wildlife," 6 Feb. 2020 Moreover, if there’s a clutch gene, Wilson has it, as he was tied for the NFL lead in game-winning drives (five). 3. — John Owning, Dallas News, "Ranking the NFL’s top 15 QBs entering 2020: Where does Cowboys’ Dak Prescott rank after breakout 2019 season?," 5 Feb. 2020

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

14 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 21 Feb. 2020.

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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