: a tumor suppressor gene that in an inactivated form tends to be associated with a high risk of certain cancers
Examples of p53 in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Flores Lab at Moffitt also conducts research into the p53 family of genes, found in many human cancers.
—
Christopher O'Donnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2026
If a mutation occurs in p53 itself, that regulation is lost, and further errors proliferate.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
In humans, p53 is inactive or mutated in about half of all cancers.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025
Elephants seem to have 20 different copies of a tumor-suppressing gene known as p53.
—New Atlas, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for p53
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher O'Donnell, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2026
If a mutation occurs in p53 itself, that regulation is lost, and further errors proliferate.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
In humans, p53 is inactive or mutated in about half of all cancers.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025
Elephants seem to have 20 different copies of a tumor-suppressing gene known as p53.
—New Atlas, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for p53
Cite this Entry
“P53.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/p53. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
p53
noun
: a tumor suppressor gene that in a defective form tends to be associated with a high risk of certain cancers (as of the colon, lung, and breast)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
