genetic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants or less commonly genetical
1
: relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something
2
a
: of, relating to, or involving genetics
b
: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes
a genetic disease
genetic variation
genetically adverb

-genetic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

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

Examples of genetic in a Sentence

Adjective hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The geckos didn’t look like other species that had been identified, researchers said, and genetic analysis confirmed the experts’ suspicions that the geckos belonged to a new species. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025 Similar genetic variants are very rare in people outside of this community. Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 25 Sep. 2025 These calamities drastically reduce the genetic diversity in a group. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2025 The researchers have concluded that cow udders are a site where viruses could swap genetic material—a process known as reassortment—and generate new flu viruses that could potentially spread more easily or cause worse illness. Chris Simms, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for genetic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

genesis

First Known Use

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of genetic was in 1750

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetic. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants also genetical
: of, relating to, or involving genes or genetics
genetic research
also : caused or controlled by genes
a genetic disease
genetically adverb

Medical Definition

genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants also genetical
1
: of, relating to, or involving genetics
2
: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes
a genetic disease
genetic material
compare acquired sense 1
genetically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on genetic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!