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
Scientists have created human eggs containing genes from adult skin cells, a step that someday could help women who are infertile or gay couples have babies with their own genes but would also raise difficult ethical, social and legal issues.
—
Rob Stein, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Women are twice as likely as men to develop these disorders because of the second X chromosome, which contains most genes involved in regulating the immune system.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Huntington’s is caused by a single faulty gene, so a parent has a 50% chance of passing it to a child.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
And by identifying the genes and proteins involved in healthy aging, Esteller hopes researchers can guide the development of drugs that can target these specific elements.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
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Rob Stein, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Women are twice as likely as men to develop these disorders because of the second X chromosome, which contains most genes involved in regulating the immune system.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2025
Huntington’s is caused by a single faulty gene, so a parent has a 50% chance of passing it to a child.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
And by identifying the genes and proteins involved in healthy aging, Esteller hopes researchers can guide the development of drugs that can target these specific elements.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 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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