phenotype

noun

Save Word

phe·no·type | \ ˈfē-nə-ˌtīp

plural phenotypes

Definition of phenotype

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the observable characteristics or traits of an organism that are produced by the interaction of the genotype and the environment : the physical expression of one or more genes Considering that modern maize is a tetraploid, it is remarkable how many single gene mutations cause profound changes in phenotype.— Virginia Walbot A breed is a group of genetically related individuals with a common phenotype—physical characteristics, such as ear and muzzle shapes, and behavioral tendencies, such as those of a retriever to swim or a border collie to herd …— Mark Derr Phenotype is how that DNA physically manifests itself—in this case, as the susceptibility to disease, or the progression of disease, or the susceptibility of the disease itself to treatment, all of which likely have a genetic component.— Gary Taubes

2 : the observable characteristics or traits of a disease … a mild disorder whose clinical phenotype overlaps with that of the Marfan syndrome …— Petros Tsipouras et al.

phenotype

verb

phenotyped; phenotyping; phenotypes

Definition of phenotype (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to determine, analyze, or predict all or part of a phenotype of Red cells were phenotyped as M + or M -.— Raymond L. Comenzo et al. … a team … recently decided to examine the data collected so far to determine how many of the phenotyped mice had eye problems.— Michelle Wong The asthma in these patients was not phenotyped. We do not have any information regarding the eosinophil count or other markers such as exhaled oral nitric oxide in these subjects.— Faria Nasim

Other Words from phenotype More Example Sentences Learn More about phenotype

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from phenotype

Noun

phenotypic \ ˌfē-nə-ˈti-pik

\ or less commonly phenotypical \ ˌfē-nə-ˈti-pi-kəl

\ adjective

phenotypic variation phenotypic expression

phenotypically \ ˌfē-nə-ˈti-pi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

phenotypically similar populations

Examples of phenotype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The general features of the epigenetic landscape and transcriptional output will be routinely incorporated into predictive models of the effect of genotype on phenotype. — Eric D. Green, Scientific American, "A Vision for the Next Decade of Human Genomics Research," 28 Oct. 2020 The researchers are just beginning to study how a plant’s phenotype—its physical characteristics—might change if a human body is composing nearby. — Matt Simon, Wired, "Could a Tree Help Find a Decaying Corpse Nearby?," 3 Sep. 2020 Six of the genetic markers associated with food were also related to at least one disease phenotype, including several types of cancer as well as type 2 diabetes. — Kristen Rogers, CNN, "Prefer tea over coffee? It could be your genes, study finds," 6 Mar. 2020 In 2016, police released an image generated by Parabon NanoLabs, a genetic testing lab in Reston, Virginia, of what the suspect who left the semen behind might look like based on the phenotype in his DNA profile. — Andrea Cavallier, NBC News, "Family of slain UNC student Faith Hedgepeth desperate for answers nearly eight years after her brutal murder," 18 Apr. 2020 Coupled with these are racist attacks on people from north-east India because of their similarity with Chinese phenotype. — Ashwini Deshpande, Quartz India, "Protecting women is missing from pandemic management measures in India," 27 Mar. 2020 The phenome comprises all the possible observable traits of DNA, known as phenotypes. — Kristen Rogers, CNN, "Prefer tea over coffee? It could be your genes, study finds," 6 Mar. 2020 Composite of photos of Kelly Gene Perry — from his last California driver's license (left) and a DNA phenotype sketch done when his remains were discovered. — Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, "Mysteries matched and solved," 6 Mar. 2020 Think of your phenotype as your body’s hardware, or physiology: your height and skin color and metabolism. — Matt Simon, Wired, "This Marsupial Dies After Marathon Mating. Now It's Got Bigger Worries," 12 Feb. 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about phenotype

Dictionary Entries near phenotype

Statistics for phenotype

Cite this Entry

“Phenotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenotype. Accessed 26 Feb. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for phenotype

phenotype

noun

phe·no·type | \ ˈfē-nə-ˌtīp

Medical Definition of phenotype

1 : the observable characteristics or traits of an organism that are produced by the interaction of the genotype and the environment : the physical expression of one or more genes Considerable data on ABO blood group phenotypes and alleles now exist showing marked differentiation between geographical areas such as Europe and Asia …— J.A. Beardmore et al. The mice also developed an osteoporotic phenotype that was not due to a defect in osteoblast differentiation, but rather to a marked decline in the output of bone matrix per osteoblast.— Patrick Ducy et al.

2 : the observable characteristics or traits of a disease … a mild disorder whose clinical phenotype overlaps with that of the Marfan syndrome …— Petros Tsipouras et al.

Other Words from phenotype

phenotypic \ ˌfē-nə-ˈtip-ik

\ also phenotypical \ -i-kəl

\ adjective

phenotypically \ -i-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Keep scrolling for more