plural genes
: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
Examples of gene in a Sentence
She inherited a good set of genes from her parents.
Recent Examples on the Web
With a keen interest in all things science, Srishti is particularly drawn to beats covering medicine, sustainable architecture, gene studies, and bioengineering.
—
Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
This method marks a departure from the traditional gene-editing technique that scientists use to achieve this effect, following a model pioneered by a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Study results, published in the journal Nature Medicine, showed that people with two copies of the APOE4 gene who were following a Mediterranean diet had a 35 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared with those with the same genetic profile who did not follow the Mediterranean diet.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Sep. 2025
People who inherit two copies of a gene variant called APOE4 have a 60% chance of developing Alzheimer's by age 85.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
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Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025
This method marks a departure from the traditional gene-editing technique that scientists use to achieve this effect, following a model pioneered by a team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Study results, published in the journal Nature Medicine, showed that people with two copies of the APOE4 gene who were following a Mediterranean diet had a 35 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared with those with the same genetic profile who did not follow the Mediterranean diet.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 2 Sep. 2025
People who inherit two copies of a gene variant called APOE4 have a 60% chance of developing Alzheimer's by age 85.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gene
noun
: a part of DNA or sometimes RNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that contains chemical information needed to make a particular protein (as an enzyme) controlling or influencing an inherited bodily trait or activity (as eye color or metabolism) or that influences or controls the activity of another gene or genes
Medical Definition
gene
noun
: a specific sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA that is located usually on a chromosome and that is the functional unit of inheritance controlling the transmission and expression of one or more traits by specifying the structure of a particular polypeptide and especially a protein or controlling the function of other genetic material
called also determinant, determiner, factor
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