recombinant

adjective

re·​com·​bi·​nant (ˌ)rē-ˈkäm-bə-nənt 

1

: relating to or exhibiting genetic recombination

recombinant progeny

2

a

: relating to or containing genetically engineered DNA

b

: produced by genetic engineering

recombinant bovine growth hormone

recombinant noun

Examples of recombinant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Epistemologically, all knowledge work — human or artificial — is recombinant. —Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

It’s since been swapped for Shingrix, a two-shot recombinant zoster vaccine containing only part of the virus — which has shown to be more effective. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

The insulin, interferon, and recombinant non-glycosylated protein biosimilars segment is also forecasted to grow at a 12.8% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. —Avik Pal, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Here’s the pivot: recombinant innovation isn’t just a thinking exercise. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recombinant

• recombinant DNA

Medical Definition

recombinant

1 of 2 adjective

re·​com·​bi·​nant (ˈ)rē-ˈkäm-bə-nənt 

1

: relating to or exhibiting genetic recombination

recombinant progeny

2

a

: relating to or containing genetically engineered DNA

b

: produced by genetic engineering

recombinant bovine growth hormone

recombinant

2 of 2 noun

: an individual exhibiting recombination