gene

noun \ ˈjēn \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of gene

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

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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

Schulz said those who are interested in participating first go through a genetic test done by a cheek swab to study their apolipoprotein (APOE) genes, which are found in three variants.

— tracy maness, Houston Chronicle, "Alzheimer's trials looking for participants," 9 Apr. 2018
Boosting the prospects of a relative’s child — kinship selection — does help propagate at least a few of an individual’s genes, and thus seems a good general explanation for self-sacrificing behavior.

— melissa healy, Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 7 Apr. 2018
There are just too many combinations of genes, environmental exposures, patterns of cell phone use, plus a healthy helping of random chance to consider.

— rachel becker, The Verge, "Cell phone radiation may never stop scaring people, no matter what," 5 Apr. 2018
Boosting the prospects of a relative's child — kinship selection — does help propagate at least a few of an individual's genes, and thus seems a good general explanation for self-sacrificing behavior.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "These monkeys surprised scientists by sharing even more when no one was looking," 30 Mar. 2018
Scientists are developing a gene-editing tool that could eliminate disease in Florida citrus and other crops.

— Discover Magazine, "Table of Contents April 2018," 23 Mar. 2018
Even when both parents carry the recessive mutation of the same gene, there’s still only a 1 in 4 chance they’ll be affected.

— PEOPLE.com, "For Children with This Rare Life-Threatening Skin Condition, Sunlight Can Kill," 23 Mar. 2018
Think of it as a mid-fattie with race-car genes, though given its sparse padding in the heel and tongue, the interior is decidedly spartan.

— justin nyberg, Outside Online, "The Best Fat Shoes of 2018," 21 Mar. 2018
Some research suggests that genes, combined with exposures to environmental agents ranging from pollutants to chemicals in the diet, for example, could misdirect the immune cells to destroy neurons.

— alice park, Time, "Stem Cell Treatment Could Be a Game-Changer for People With MS," 19 Mar. 2018

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

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First Known Use: 1909

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Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

GENE Defined for English Language Learners

gene

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

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