gene mutation

noun

plural gene mutations

: a permanent alteration (as by point mutation or frameshift mutation) in the nucleotide sequence of a gene

Researchers have identified a gene mutation that's believed to predispose people to malignant melanoma, the deadliest and most aggressive type of skin cancer.

—Health News

compare point mutation

Examples of gene mutation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts estimate that up to 90% of cases are associated with gene mutations, such as RAS mutations (more on those below), which are linked to lifestyle and environmental factors. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 8 June 2026

It's caused by a gene mutation that leads to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 3 June 2026

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare neurological disorder resulting from a gene mutation. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026

Most breast cancers arising from a BRCA2 gene mutation are estrogen receptor–positive/HER2-negative, the foundation notes. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gene mutation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

gene mutation

noun

: mutation due to a chemical change in a gene

Medical Definition

gene mutation

noun

: a permanent alteration (as a point mutation or frameshift mutation) in the nucleotide sequence of a gene

… there is a 50 percent chance each offspring will inherit the gene mutation and may develop the disease.

—Fred Cicetti

In early August the team published a study in Nature that chronicled how a single gene mutation in a laboratory strain of Escherichia coli could create a bacterium resistant to triclosan …

—Gary Stix