heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈre-də-tē 

1

a

: inheritance

b

: tradition

2

a

: the sum of the characteristics and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors

b

: the transmission of such qualities from ancestor to descendant through the genes

Examples of heredity in a Sentence

Heredity plays no part in the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

In short, heredity advancement driven by desire. —D. Scott Schmid, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025

Genetics and heredity define stock in some modern contexts, but for the 1930s salmon homing debate, the implications of genetic dividing lines were very different. —Greg Uyeno, JSTOR Daily, 27 Aug. 2025

No singular cause has been identified for most causes of ALS, with some research into factors that may be linked, such as heredity, environmental exposures, and diet, among others. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Tuesday, July 1 Genetics talk: Henry George will discuss the science of heredity at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 1. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French heredité, borrowed from Latin hērēditāt-, hērēditās "inheritance," from hērēd-, hērēs heir entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē 

plural heredities

1

: the genes and the genetic traits whose expression they control that are passed on from one's parents

2

: the passing on of genes and genetic traits from parent to offspring

Medical Definition

heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē 

plural heredities

1

: the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors

2

: the transmission of traits from ancestor to descendant through the molecular mechanism lying primarily in the DNA or RNA of the genes compare meiosis