mutation

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noun mu·ta·tion \ myü-ˈtā-shən \

Definition of mutation

1 :a significant and basic alteration :change

2 :umlaut

3 a :a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and that occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction

Mutations known to cause disease have been identified in approximately 1000 genes.
—Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins

; also :the process of producing a mutation

Microorganisms have been used extensively to study mutation …
—George A. Wistreich et al.

b :an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation

The worst E. coli bacterium, E. coli 0157:H, a mutation discovered in 1982 that has at least sixty-two subtypes, causes hemorrhagic colitis …
—Wayne Biddle

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mutational

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

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mutationally

adverb

See mutation defined for English-language learners

See mutation defined for kids

Examples of mutation in a Sentence

The cat's short tail is the result of mutation.
The condition is caused by a genetic mutation.
The cat's short tail is the result of a mutation.
The building is a mutation of the original design.

Recent Examples of mutation from the Web

Sequencing the genomes of these flies confirmed that in virtually all cases the consequence was a mutation that rendered the flies (and would have rendered any offspring) resistant to the gene drive.

— The Economist, "Gene drivesA promising means of pest control meets some evolutionary truths," 22 July 2017
Similar mutations are found in humans and are known to eliminate a fear of strangers.

— ben panko, Smithsonian, "What Makes Fido So Friendly? It Could Be Genetic," 20 July 2017
And dads pass on more genetic mutations their children each year after age 30, according to a paper in Nature.

— suzannah weiss, Glamour, "Men Have Biological Clocks, Too — So Why Do We Only Talk About Women's?," 19 July 2017
It is specifically known as the RRM2B mutation of MDDS.

— Washington Post, "A brief look at the medical issues in the Charlie Gard case," 10 July 2017
An alternate theory holds that the disease emerged after a genetic mutation that occurred in a small number of cows, which then were used to make cattle feed.

— john fauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A family of fatal brain diseases has baffled scientists while infecting new species," 6 July 2017
When there is a family link, Dr. Raza says that a mutation in a gene may be passed through generations, which raises a person’s risk of having a tumor develop.

— korin miller, SELF, "Can Brain Tumors Run in the Family?," 5 July 2017
In late December, while researching her son’s condition, Ms. Yates learned about nucleoside therapy, a treatment that has been used on patients with a less severe mitochondrial condition known as TK2 mutation.

— dan bilefsky and sewell chan, New York Times, "For Parents of U.K. Infant, Trump’s Tweet Is Latest Twist in an Agonizing Journey," 4 July 2017
And the rarer the disease, the more genomes must be examined to find mutations and other patterns.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "What is genomics, and how can it help you?," 2 July 2017

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

First Known Use of mutation

14th century

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

MUTATION Defined for Kids

mutation

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noun mu·ta·tion \ myü-ˈtā-shən \

Definition of mutation for Students

:a change in a gene or the resulting new trait it produces in an individual

Medical Dictionary

mutation

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noun mu·ta·tion \ myü-ˈtā-shən \

medical Definition of mutation

1 :a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction; also :the process of producing a mutation

2 :an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation

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