genetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction ge·net·ics \ jə-ˈne-tiks \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

—

geneticist

play \jə-ˈne-tə-sist\ noun

Recent Examples of genetics from the Web

Even if the predictions aren’t perfect, would couples want to take steps to control their child’s genetics?

— Washington Post, "Parenting of the future: Many embryos, each with DNA profile," 18 Apr. 2018
He and his colleagues selected three with the right genetics and no sign of pathogens.

— cassandra willyard, Scientific American, "Squeaky Clean Mice Could be Ruining Research," 9 Apr. 2018
Equipment on board includes a lightning tracker, a materials science facility and two student genetics experiments, according to Space.com.

— james rogers, Fox News, "SpaceX launches 14th Space Station resupply mission," 2 Apr. 2018
Researchers have been making great strides over the past decade in better understanding the role genetics plays in psychiatric syndromes including depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

— catherine ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "In a first, Veterans Affairs centers use genetic testing to treat depression," 17 Mar. 2018
While lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, and exercise contribute to a person’s heart attack risk, genetics also play a role.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "Kevin Smith Had a ‘Widowmaker’ Heart Attack. Here’s What That Means," 26 Feb. 2018
Although a young field, genetics advanced rapidly in the 1910s and 1920s; the first Nobel Prize for work in genetics was awarded in 1933.

— sam kean, The Atlantic, "The Soviet Era's Deadliest Scientist Is Regaining Popularity in Russia," 19 Dec. 2017
In 2003 a genetics paper revealed that one in 200 men alive in that year was a direct descendant of Genghis Khan (1162–1227).

— mona charen, National Review, "Is Flirting Sexual Harassment?," 8 Dec. 2017
Researchers at a genetics firm in Reykjavik, Iceland, examined a database of roughly 130,000 people on the island, identifying genes associated with educational attainment.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Are “Education Genes” on the Decline?," 3 Feb. 2017

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.

First Known Use of genetics

1905

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

GENETICS Defined for English Language Learners

genetics

noun

Definition of genetics for English Language Learners

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

GENETICS Defined for Kids

genetics

noun ge·net·ics \ jə-ˈne-tiks \

Definition of genetics for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

genetics

noun plural but singular in construction ge·net·ics \ jə-ˈnet-iks \

medical Definition of genetics

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

Learn More about genetics

See words that rhyme with genetics Spanish Central: Translation of genetics Nglish: Translation of genetics for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of genetics for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genetics

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genetics

Definition of genetics

geneticist

Recent Examples of genetics from the Web

First Known Use of genetics

Other Genetics Terms

GENETICS Defined for English Language Learners

genetics

Definition of genetics for English Language Learners

GENETICS Defined for Kids

genetics

Definition of genetics for Students

Medical Dictionary

genetics

medical Definition of genetics

Learn More about genetics

Seen and Heard

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