heritability

noun

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

, ˌhe-rə- \

Definition of heritability

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 One study showed that heritability of eating disorders in girls was 0 percent before puberty, but more than 50 percent afterward. — Kate Willsky, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 When investigating whether a trait is genetic, scientists look at its heritability. — Madeleine Streets, SELF, 13 June 2022 But with enough dogs, heritability is a good measure of what’s inherited. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2022 There are chapters on the development of genetics, the eugenics movement, the heritability of family traits and the field of epigenetics, which studies whether our genes can be altered by experience (short answer: it’s complicated). — Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2022 Schizophrenia has a high level of heritability in families. — Sonia Suter, Quartz, 22 Jan. 2022 Studies have also shown that it's commonly associated with genetics and has a high heritability. — Health.com, 27 Oct. 2021 In consideration of its effects on Lucas’ brother, however, the abuse parallel falls flat while the heritability of trauma angle (if that’s the interpretation) feels uncharitable to victims of trauma. — Jeff Ewing, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021 That’s on par with the heritability of cognitive traits like IQ in people, MacLean says. — David Grimm, Science | AAAS, 17 Mar. 2021 See More

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

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Last Updated

1 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Heritability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heritability. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for heritability

heritability

noun

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

plural heritabilities

Medical Definition of heritability

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