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
Examples of gene in a Sentence
She inherited a good set of genes from her parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the eyes of the former NFL MVP Joe Theismann, Daniels doesn't possess the kind of gene that would force that mentality.
—
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
In some cases, this reprogramming can enhance the metabolic capacity of their hosts, encoding genes for central carbon metabolism and ATP generation.
—New Atlas, 12 July 2025
The team’s genetic analysis focused on the Hox cluster: a family of genes found widely across the animal kingdom that fundamentally control an organism’s physical development.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Aspergillus fungi aren’t the target, but exposure to the fungicides gives them a head start developing genes that are resistant to the targets, sometimes before an antifungal drug with the same target even hits the market.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
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Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
In some cases, this reprogramming can enhance the metabolic capacity of their hosts, encoding genes for central carbon metabolism and ATP generation.
—New Atlas, 12 July 2025
The team’s genetic analysis focused on the Hox cluster: a family of genes found widely across the animal kingdom that fundamentally control an organism’s physical development.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
Aspergillus fungi aren’t the target, but exposure to the fungicides gives them a head start developing genes that are resistant to the targets, sometimes before an antifungal drug with the same target even hits the market.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gene
noun
: a part of DNA or sometimes RNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that contains chemical information needed to make a particular protein (as an enzyme) controlling or influencing an inherited bodily trait or activity (as eye color or metabolism) or that influences or controls the activity of another gene or genes
Medical Definition
gene
noun
: 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
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