morphogenesis

noun

mor·​pho·​gen·​e·​sis ˌmȯr-fə-ˈje-nə-səs 

: the formation and differentiation of tissues and organs compare organogenesis

Examples of morphogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Notably, these are deeply pleiotropic, conserved regulators of craniofacial morphogenesis more broadly. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Levin has spent much of his career studying how cell collectives communicate to solve sophisticated challenges during morphogenesis, or body building. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

Hierarchical modularity and pattern completion can help understand the decision-making of cells and neurons during morphogenesis and brain processes, generating well adaptive animals and behavior. — Rafael Yuste, Scientific American, 11 Dec. 2021

Researchers disagree about the role that bioelectricity plays in morphogenesis. — Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021

Self-organizing optic-cup morphogenesis in three-dimensional culture. — Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2011

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for morphogenesis

• biogenesis
• diagenesis
• histogenesis
• lipogenesis
• mutagenesis
• neurogenesis
• oncogenesis
• ontogenesis
• paragenesis
• pathogenesis
• petrogenesis
• thermogenesis

Medical Definition

morphogenesis

noun

mor·​pho·​gen·​e·​sis ˌmȯr-fə-ˈjen-ə-səs 

plural morphogeneses -ˌsēz 

: the development of normal form or structure especially as controlled by the growth, differentiation, and movement of cells and tissues

Deficiencies in neural plate development at early stages would lead not only to abnormal brain morphogenesis but also to deficient eye formation …

—Science