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 Lander was also accused of treating two Nobel Prize-winning female scientists, who played a key role in the development of breakthrough gene-editing technology, unfairly by not giving them enough credit. — Nihal Krishan, Washington Examiner, "Biden nominee for top scientist spot gains bipartisan support despite Jeffrey Epstein interactions," 29 Apr. 2021 That contradicts the fact that mRNA vaccines only carry the gene for making the spikes, not a whole Coronavirus. — Jv Chamary, Forbes, "This Star Wars Analogy Explains How RNA Vaccines Work," 25 Feb. 2021 The test uses a gene-editing tool known as CRISPR to analyze a sample and deliver results within 30 minutes. — Evan Macdonald, cleveland, "World leaders call for pandemic treaty; test could detect COVID-19 mutations: Coronavirus update for March 31, 2021," 31 Mar. 2021 An exploration of how Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna helped launched the gene-editing revolution. — The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, "Bestsellers List Sunday, March 28, 2021," 24 Mar. 2021 In the wake of this dream, Doudna began to organize policy discussions about what restraints scientists should place on gene-editing experiments in humans. — Lila Thulin, Smithsonian Magazine, "How Scientist Jennifer Doudna Is Leading the Next Technological Revolution," 9 Mar. 2021 The routine modification of human DNA with gene-editing tools seems just around the corner. — David A. Shaywitz, WSJ, "‘The Genome Odyssey’ Review: From Code to Clinic," 24 Feb. 2021 Some forms of gene therapy and gene-editing require a patient’s cells to be removed and reinserted into the body. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston biotech Ensoma lands $70m in funding, partnership with Takeda," 11 Feb. 2021 And having more Cas9 options could potentially help researchers circumvent immune responses to some gene-editing therapies. — Niko Mccarty, Scientific American, "Newly Studied Proteins Expand CRISPR's Editing Range," 26 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

3 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 14 May. 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