genetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

ge·net·ics | \ jə-ˈne-tiks

How to pronounce genetics (audio)

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Definition of genetics

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

Other Words from genetics Example Sentences Learn More about genetics

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Examples of genetics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As a postdoc at UCLA, Levine worked with Steven Horvath, a human-genetics and biostatistics professor largely credited with creating the first epigenetic clock. — Nick Heil, Outside Online, "This Company Will Tell You How Well You're Aging," 11 Nov. 2019 Marisa Korody, a conservation genetics scientist at the zoo’s Institute for Conservation research, gave the update to a scientific audience at the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine in La Jolla. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Saving rhinos with stem cells; $5.5 billion stem cell ballot measure readied," 12 Oct. 2019 Unexpectedly, Cooper’s active-genetics system didn’t work in male mice, only in females. — Quanta Magazine, "Gene Drives Work in Mice (if They’re Female)," 27 Aug. 2019 Unexpectedly, Cooper’s active-genetics system didn’t work in male mice, only in females. — Quanta Magazine, "Gene Drives Work in Mice (if They’re Female)," 27 Aug. 2019 To supplement this, the team turned to the commercial genetics service 23andMe. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "The genetics of sexual orientation are about as complex as sexual orientation," 30 Aug. 2019 Other factors, like talent and genetics also play a part. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Practice Will Make You Better, But Maybe Not the Best," 23 Aug. 2019 And that’s something, for instance, that couldn’t really happen in a traditional genetics lab because a lot of it is social. — Eric Johnson, Vox, "The problem with tech people who want to solve problems," 26 June 2019 Cunningham was a genetics, cell biology and development professor at the U. His focus expanded to include environmental science due to his increasing conservation efforts and his students’ interest. — Jasmine Johnson, Twin Cities, "William Cunningham, U professor who advocated for creation of BWCA, dies at 82," 30 July 2019

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

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Learn More about genetics

Dictionary Entries near genetics

genetic mutation

Statistics for genetics

Cite this Entry

“Genetics.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetics. Accessed 20 January 2020.

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More Definitions for genetics

genetics

noun

English Language Learners Definition of genetics

: the scientific study of how genes control the characteristics of plants and animals

genetics

ge·net·ics | \ jə-ˈne-tiks

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Kids Definition of genetics

: the scientific study of how the characteristics of living things are controlled by genes

genetics

noun plural but singular in construction

ge·net·ics | \ jə-ˈnet-iks

\

Medical Definition of genetics

1a : 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

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