polygenic
adjective
poly·gen·ic
ˌpä-lē-ˈje-nik 
-ˈjē-
-ˈjē-
: of, relating to, mediated by, or constituting polygenes : involving two or more nonallelic genes collectively in determining inherited characteristics : multifactorial sense 1
polygenic inheritance
polygenic traits
Others think the allergic state is polygenic: transmitted by a number of genes whose combined expression is necessary to make a person allergic.—
Paul D. Buisseret
Paul D. BuisseretExamples of polygenic in a Sentence
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How Genetics Influence Endometriosis Risk Endometriosis is a polygenic condition, meaning many genes, rather than a single gene, influence your risk.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 13 Feb. 2026
To estimate genetic risk for higher body weight, researchers analyzed participants’ DNA samples and calculated a polygenic score (looking at multiple genes) for body mass index.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The finding contradicts the general consensus on the polygenic origin of mental disorders.
—Jorge Garay, Wired News, 8 Dec. 2025
Program makers Blink Films said test results placed Hitler in the top one percent for genetic predisposition to autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, though experts involved stressed that polygenic risk scores are not diagnostic and cannot be linked to specific behaviors.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
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Brandi Jones, Health, 13 Feb. 2026
To estimate genetic risk for higher body weight, researchers analyzed participants’ DNA samples and calculated a polygenic score (looking at multiple genes) for body mass index.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Jan. 2026
The finding contradicts the general consensus on the polygenic origin of mental disorders.
—Jorge Garay, Wired News, 8 Dec. 2025
Program makers Blink Films said test results placed Hitler in the top one percent for genetic predisposition to autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, though experts involved stressed that polygenic risk scores are not diagnostic and cannot be linked to specific behaviors.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygenic
Cite this Entry
“Polygenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polygenic. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polygenic
adjective
poly·gen·ic
ˌpäl-i-ˈjēn-ik
-ˈjen-ik
-ˈjen-ik
: of, relating to, or resulting from polygenes : multifactorial
a polygenic disorder
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