heritability

noun

her·​i·​ta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌher-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌhe-rə-

1

: the quality or state of being heritable

2

: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (such as height) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones

Examples of heritability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Surprised, the team performed a sanity check—the researchers calculated heritability in the traditional way for twins born between 1900 and 1935, an era when rapid medical advances steadily curtailed premature death. —Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026

Scientists have seen roughly that level of lifespan heritability with other species, as well as with other human traits, such as psychological factors like introversion. —Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026

Estimates of heritability ranged from eight to 16 percent—small but meaningful genetic contributions suggesting biology plays a measurable role. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

The resulting estimates of heritability are only about a third of those based on twin studies. —Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

herit(able) + -ability

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heritability

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability

Medical Definition

heritability

noun

her·​i·​ta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌher-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural heritabilities

1

: the quality or state of being heritable

2

: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (as intelligence) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones