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
Using mathematical modeling and data pulled from twin and sibling studies, a new study published Thursday in Science found that heritability contributes more than 50% of our lifespan.
—
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for heritability
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O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 30 Jan. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for heritability
Cite this Entry
“Heritability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heritability. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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