genetic

play

adjective ge·net·ic \jə-ˈne-tik\

variants: or less commonly

genetical

play \jə-ˈne-ti-kəl\

Definition of genetic

1 : relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something
2a : of, relating to, or involving geneticsb : of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes a genetic disease genetic variation

genetically

play \jə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See genetic defined for English-language learners

See genetic defined for kids

Examples of genetic in a Sentence

hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders

Recent Examples of genetic from the Web

A rare genetic disorder almost ended Manthey’s Army career during basic training.

— Washington Post, "Army veteran finds success in home repair, remodeling", 2 June 2017
So how did the genetic makeup of the people living Abusir el-Meleq change in these turbulent centuries?

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "Ancient Mummies Finally Give Up Their Genetic Secrets", 1 June 2017
Since then, updated numbers have reinforced that a high proportion of patients with the genetic feature benefit from the drug, often for a lengthy period.

— laurie mcginley, chicagotribune.com, "Immunotherapy offers hope to certain cancer patients not responding to chemo", 30 May 2017
People who inherit a particular genetic mutation from one parent are about 40 percent more likely to get valve damage if a strep infection is not cured, Dr. Parks and his colleagues found.

— donald g. mcneil jr., New York Times, "Scientists Link a Gene Mutation to Rheumatic Heart Disease", 29 May 2017
Testing on a wig allegedly worn by the killer for a 2009 court hearing found no genetic material that could be tested for DNA.

— kent faulk, AL.com, "Daughter of executed inmate Tommy Arthur calls for mandatory DNA testing in capital cases", 26 May 2017
Both genes and environment contribute to the CDR, so even genetic causes of autism lower the threshold for CDR activation and produce the metabolic syndrome.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Autism study questions and answers", 26 May 2017
Leonard and Robin Croswhite had submitted DNA, providing genetic material from the maternal side of Stagg’s line.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Lost for 66 years, his family will bring Uncle Tommy home this Memorial Day", 26 May 2017
For a study to fully investigate the risk of cancer from environmental exposures while controlling for lifestyle and genetic risk factors, more than 100 cases of the same or similar cancers would be required.

— carol rosenberg, miamiherald, "No health survey conducted before Pentagon built Guantánamo’s Camp Justice", 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genetic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of genetic

genesis

First Known Use: 1750

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

-genetic

adjective combining form ge·net·ic

Definition of -genetic

1 : -genic 1 organogenetic
2 : -genic 2 psychogenetic

GENETIC Defined for English Language Learners

genetic

play

adjective

Definition of genetic for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or involving genes

GENETIC Defined for Kids

genetic

play

adjective ge·net·ic \jə-ˈne-tik\

Definition of genetic for Students

: of or relating to genes or genetics genetic research

Medical Dictionary

genetic

play

adjective ge·net·ic \jə-ˈnet-ik\

variants: also

genetical

\-i-kəl\play

Medical Definition of genetic

1: of, relating to, or involving genetics
2: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes a genetic disease genetic material—compare acquired 1