transgenic

1 of 2

adjective

trans·​gen·​ic tran(t)s-ˈje-nik 

: being or used to produce an organism or cell of one species into which one or more genes of another species have been incorporated

a transgenic mouse

transgenic crops

also : produced by or consisting of transgenic plants or animals

transgenic

2 of 2

noun

1

transgenics plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of biotechnology concerned with the production of transgenic plants, animals, and foods

2

: a transgenic plant or animal

Examples of transgenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Even with transgenic silkworms, maintaining uniform fiber quality across millions of cocoons is a massive logistical challenge. —New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2025

Generation of human chronic wasting disease in transgenic mice CWD-Info.org. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

In contrast to artificial processes, transgenic silkworms handle both protein production and fiber spinning naturally. —New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2025

The cutest transgenic animal in history: the dire wolf. —D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1982, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1986, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for transgenic

• asthenic
• edenic
• eugenic
• hellenic
• myasthenic
• naphthenic
• allergenic
• androgenic
• antigenic
• authigenic
• autogenic
• biogenic

Medical Definition

transgenic

1 of 2 adjective

trans·​gen·​ic ˌtran(t)s-ˈjen-ik, ˌtranz- 

: being or used to produce an organism or cell of one species into which one or more genes of other species have been incorporated

transgenic mice

transgenic corn plants

transgenic techniques

also : produced by or composed of transgenic plants or animals

transgenic foods

transgenic

2 of 2 noun

1

: a transgenic plant or animal

2

transgenics plural in form but singular in construction : a branch of biotechnology concerned with the production of transgenic plants, animals, and foods