genetics

noun

ge·​net·​ics jə-ˈne-tiks 

plural in form but singular in construction

1

: a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms

2

: the genetic makeup and phenomena of an organism, type, group, or condition

geneticist

jə-ˈne-tə-sist 

noun

Examples of genetics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As genetics, psychology, and neuroscience ascended, the twentieth century sent physiognomy back into disrepute, and today, from Lavater to Lombroso, its promoters may seem a racist shade of quaint. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Enright notes that genetics, body weight and smoking all influence how quickly caffeine is metabolized, with smoking doubling the rate. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

The Devils Hole pupfish Incident Command Team is currently working on a genetics management plan, according to Wilson. — Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 May 2026

The science looks so similar across different domains, in terms of how much genetics matters, but our response to the science in the culture can swing really wildly from one direction to the other. — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing genetics

• molecular genetics

Rhymes for genetics

• aesthetics
• ascetics
• asthmatics
• athletics
• cosmetics
• emetics
• esthetics
• kinetics
• magnetics
• phonetics
• poetics
• prosthetics

Kids Definition

genetics

noun

ge·​net·​ics jə-ˈnet-iks 

: a branch of biology that deals with the inherited traits and variation of organisms

Medical Definition

genetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

ge·​net·​ics jə-ˈnet-iks 

1

a

: a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms

b

: a treatise or textbook on genetics

2

: the genetic makeup and phenomena of an organism, type, group, or condition