multifactorial
adjective
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al
ˌməl-tē-fak-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 
-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
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
Francesca Lyman 2
or multifactor
ˌməl-tē-ˈfak-tər
: having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
-ˌtī-
a multifactorial approach
multifactor authentication
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.—Matt McCarthy
Matt McCarthy
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
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
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.
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Medical Definition
multifactorial
adjective
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al
-fak-ˈtōr-ē-əl, -ˈtȯr-
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
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
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
Matt McCarthyLove words? Need even more definitions?
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