mutation

1 of 2

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

mutational

2 of 2

adjective

mu·​ta·​tion·​al (ˈ)myü¦tāshənᵊl 

-shnəl

: of or relating to mutation

mutationally

-ᵊl|ē, 

-əl|, 

|i

adverb

Examples of mutation in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Following alt-rock’s aughties surge, a slew of bands like Mastodon, the Mars Volta, and Coheed & Cambria became main-stage festival acts by adapting modern hard rock conventions into over-the-top mutations. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026

His diagnosis also means each of his children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the BRCA2 mutation. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

More than 90 percent of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas occur because of mutations in the KRAS gene. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 16 July 2026

On view at New York’s Management Gallery, the exhibition treats the grotesque as an aesthetic on the verge of mutation. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mutation

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

Rhymes for mutation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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