sickle-cell trait
noun
sick·le-cell trait
ˈsi-kəl-ˈsel- 
: an inherited usually asymptomatic blood condition in which some red blood cells tend to sickle but usually not enough to produce anemia and that occurs primarily in individuals of African, Mediterranean, or southwest Asian ancestry who are heterozygous for the gene controlling hemoglobin S
Examples of sickle-cell trait in a Sentence
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As far back as the 1970s, scientists noted blood and heart complications in carriers following physical exercise, and a lawsuit following the sudden death of a college football player two decades ago led to widespread screening for the sickle-cell trait in university athletics.
—
Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
If someone inherits just one defective copy, that person is said to have sickle-cell trait but can lead a normal life.
—Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
In the early nineteen-fifties, Anthony C. Allison, a geneticist, discovered that the sickle-cell trait confers protection against malaria.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022
Raheem Mostert will have the lead-back role, but his primary backup, Tevin Coleman, who has the sickle-cell trait, could be limited or sidelined because of poor air quality.
—Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, 12 Sep. 2020
The San Diego Chargers had wanted to sign Thomas in 2017 until a routine physical turned up the sickle-cell trait.
—Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2019
Brown has to manage a sickle-cell trait that can cause muscle degeneration for those who perform strenuous exercise.
—Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, 1 June 2018
Soares has identified the chemical pathway that helps people with the sickle-cell trait tolerate malaria.
—Quanta Magazine, 30 Aug. 2016
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Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
If someone inherits just one defective copy, that person is said to have sickle-cell trait but can lead a normal life.
—Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023
In the early nineteen-fifties, Anthony C. Allison, a geneticist, discovered that the sickle-cell trait confers protection against malaria.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2022
Raheem Mostert will have the lead-back role, but his primary backup, Tevin Coleman, who has the sickle-cell trait, could be limited or sidelined because of poor air quality.
—Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, 12 Sep. 2020
The San Diego Chargers had wanted to sign Thomas in 2017 until a routine physical turned up the sickle-cell trait.
—Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, 3 Aug. 2019
Brown has to manage a sickle-cell trait that can cause muscle degeneration for those who perform strenuous exercise.
—Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, 1 June 2018
Soares has identified the chemical pathway that helps people with the sickle-cell trait tolerate malaria.
—Quanta Magazine, 30 Aug. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Sickle-cell trait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickle-cell%20trait. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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