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 particular, two genes in the bacterium can affect the infection severity.
—
Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 28 June 2025
Among the contracts that were tagged and later killed was one to maintain a gene sequencing device for improving cancer treatment.
—Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 26 June 2025
Wang’s team compared the highly active genes in both rabbits and mice after injury and traced the roots of this difference to a gene called Aldh1a2, which was strongly activated in rabbits and remained inactive in mice.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
If all that mattered were good genes, the influx of second-generation players would have shown up thirty years ago.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 28 June 2025
Among the contracts that were tagged and later killed was one to maintain a gene sequencing device for improving cancer treatment.
—Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 26 June 2025
Wang’s team compared the highly active genes in both rabbits and mice after injury and traced the roots of this difference to a gene called Aldh1a2, which was strongly activated in rabbits and remained inactive in mice.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
If all that mattered were good genes, the influx of second-generation players would have shown up thirty years ago.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 23 June 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 9 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share