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

Adults aged 18 and older can receive a recombinant flu vaccine, which is produced without eggs, for people 18 years and older, and Americans aged 65 and older can opt for a higher dose due to their risk of severe illness. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025

Epistemologically, all knowledge work — human or artificial — is recombinant. —Chris Reed, Oc Register, 30 July 2025

Both the scientific and corporate worlds became mindful of the practical applications of recombinant DNA. —Eva Amsen, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 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

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