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
Scientists have for the first time identified a gene that can cause mental illness on its own.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
The genomic data could also support the search for new gene-editing tools, antimicrobial peptides, and biotechnology products that rely on stable, highly precise enzymes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Many factors play a role in longevity, including everything from genes, access to health care, income, and luck, too.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Lysenko, who was tapped to guide the country’s agricultural reforms, had a range of pseudoscientific ideas, including that the environment, not genes, primarily determined an organism’s traits and that members of the same species don’t compete.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
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Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025
The genomic data could also support the search for new gene-editing tools, antimicrobial peptides, and biotechnology products that rely on stable, highly precise enzymes.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Many factors play a role in longevity, including everything from genes, access to health care, income, and luck, too.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 1 Dec. 2025
Lysenko, who was tapped to guide the country’s agricultural reforms, had a range of pseudoscientific ideas, including that the environment, not genes, primarily determined an organism’s traits and that members of the same species don’t compete.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 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 6 Dec. 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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