heredity

noun

Definition of hereditynext
as in blood
formal the natural process by which physical and mental qualities are passed from a parent to a child Heredity plays no part in the disease.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of heredity These two features have led to the suggestion that early life was protein-free, with RNA handling both heredity and catalyzing a simple metabolism. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Feb. 2026 His second album, Baby—a meditation on heredity, shredded and reconstituted in a $10 DJ program—was released to rapturous acclaim in August. — Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025 To truly understand genes and heredity, researchers had to learn to read the DNA code. — Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025 In short, heredity advancement driven by desire. — D. Scott Schmid, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heredity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heredity
  1. blood
  2. genealogy
  3. succession
  4. breeding
  5. relatives
  6. ancestry
  7. birth
  8. family
Noun
  • Introduced crawling through the Trask family’s field, her black blood spattering their rich soil like a human pesticide, Cathy personifies the series’ potent blend of dread and beauty.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Gua sha uses flat blunt tools, often pink quartz, to press and scrape across the skin to relieve muscle tension and boost blood circulation, according to L’Oréal Paris.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of blood
Noun
  • Scotti has tried to find out from Fort Worth police if advanced DNA technology, known as forensic genetic genealogy, might move Gloria’s case forward.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Using genetic genealogy, the investigators determined the DNA was that of Frederick Tanzer, a doctor who in 1989 was the husband of Beatty’s best friend.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of genealogy
Noun
  • The line as verb replaces the orthogonal, producing—in relation to a succession of horizons—multiple centers.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Lynch’s appointment came as a result of regular succession planning typical of public companies, said a person close to Mattel who was not authorized to be named.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of succession
Noun
  • Belugas are worth millions of dollars for their public entertainment and breeding value.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • To the surprise of many, the species was recently found breeding as far north as the UK.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of breeding
Noun
  • The participants include people who have been exposed to the disease in this outbreak, among them health workers and patients' relatives.
    — CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The participants include people who have been exposed to the disease in this outbreak, among them health workers and patients’ relatives.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of relatives
Noun
  • Three years later, Harvard is still giving another group a preference based on ancestry.
    — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Theroux’s Canadian odyssey begins on a personal note, with a history of his French Canadian ancestry.
    — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of ancestry
Noun
  • Lindsay Clancy’s case began with a bout of insomnia and anxiety several months after the birth of her third child with her husband, Patrick, in a quiet suburb outside Boston.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Just … Miley Jamie Foxx Jamie Foxx’s birth name is Eric Marlon Bishop, and his stage name was more strategic than anything else.
    — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of birth
Noun
  • The family described the teen as a fearless, curious and deeply imaginative young man with an ambitious spirit who inspired those around him.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Directed by Shen Chunyang and written by Ma Duo, the satirical family feature stars real-life comedic couple Shen Chunyang and Xiao Shenyang alongside Jia Bing and Yu Yang.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of family

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Cite this Entry

“Heredity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heredity. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heredity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heredity

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