mutation

noun

mu·​ta·​tion myü-ˈtā-shən 

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

mutational

myü-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

mutationally adverb

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 building is a mutation of the original design.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, there's no indication from those previous infections that this mutation makes the virus more likely to spread among humans. —Will Stone, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024

The definition of a music director has undergone a mutation in recent decades: such doubling- and tripling-up of appointments has become commonplace. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024

The inheritance pattern of type 1 diabetes is unclear, but mutations in the HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, and HLA-DRB1 genes increase risk. —Barbie Cervoni, Health, 2 Apr. 2024

Image Some mutations acquired as the virus evolves may offer no benefit at all, or may even hinder it, Dr. Koelle said. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

Over time, however, this process caused mutations to develop in the strain’s genome. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024

By blocking the activity of this mutation, Selumetinib can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Engineering rapid mutation Such a cool idea, right? —Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 5 Feb. 2024

There’s circumstantial evidence for that because of this eerie connection between the mutations that evolve in patients with persistent infections and then the mutations that appear. —Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 24 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mutation

• back mutation
• genetic mutation
• gene mutation
• point mutation

Kids Definition

mutation

noun

mu·​ta·​tion myü-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a basic and important change

2

a

: a permanent change in hereditary material involving either a change in the position of the genes on the chromosomes or a basic change in the chemical structure of a gene

also : the process of producing a mutation

b

: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation

Medical Definition

mutation

noun

mu·​ta·​tion myü-ˈtā-shən 

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

mutational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

mutationally

-ē 

adverb