multifactorial

adjective

mul·​ti·​fac·​to·​ri·​al ˌməl-tē-fak-ˈtȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce multifactorial (audio)
-ˌtī-
1
: caused or marked by a polygenic mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
The essence of multifactorial (polygenic) inheritance is that a single component of the phenotype (a single character) can be controlled by several independent gene loci.Ernst Mayr
also : caused by or dependent on the interaction of multiple genes combined with one or more environmental factors
Breast cancer is what scientists call "multifactorial" in that a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. Francesca Lyman
2
or multifactor : having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
a multifactorial approach
multifactor authentication
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.Matt McCarthy
multifactorially adverb

Examples of multifactorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many mental illnesses present in young adulthood — and their causes are certainly multifactorial. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2023 The same was true at Santa Anita when its deaths were viewed as multifactorial. C.l. Brown, The Courier-Journal, 5 June 2023 However, it is considered to be a multifactorial disease with genetic and environmental factors also playing a significant role. Emily Kirkpatrick, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023 According to the Genetics Home Reference, a multifactorial disorder (sometimes called a complex disorder) is influenced by many different factors—that can include multiple genes, along with a combination of lifestyle and environmental factors (think: exercise, diet, or even exposure to pollution). Emilia Benton, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021 Like many forms of mental illness, the exact cause of erotomania is unclear, but likely multifactorial. Naydeline Mejia, Women's Health, 9 Mar. 2023 This site is protected by recaptcha Privacy Policy | Terms of Service Reasons for the racial disparities in those states and across the country are multifactorial, said Rachel Hardeman, Blue Cross endowed professor of health and racial equity at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 30 June 2022 This shift is multifactorial, Lunz Trujillo said. John Rash, Star Tribune, 9 Apr. 2021 Remember that a disease like Alzheimer’s is multifactorial, made up of different pathological features. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 27 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'multifactorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of multifactorial was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near multifactorial

Cite this Entry

“Multifactorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multifactorial. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Medical Definition

multifactorial

adjective
mul·​ti·​fac·​to·​ri·​al -fak-ˈtōr-ē-əl, -ˈtȯr- How to pronounce multifactorial (audio)
1
: caused or marked by a polygenic mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
The essence of multifactorial (polygenic) inheritance is that a single component of the phenotype (a single character) can be controlled by several independent gene loci.Ernst Mayr
also : caused by or dependent on the interaction of multiple genes combined with one or more environmental factors
Breast cancer is what scientists call "multifactorial" in that a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. Francesca Lyman
2
or multifactor : having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
a multifactorial study
a disease with a multifactorial etiology
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.Matt McCarthy
multifactorially adverb
multifactoriality noun
plural multifactorialities
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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