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
  • How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It Health care providers use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to classify trypanophobia as a specific phobia of the blood-injection-injury type.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The kids age normally, can eat food and drink blood, and have inherited some of their dad’s special powers.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of blood
Noun
  • Sydney Sweeney and Marilyn Monroe are related, according to a new genealogy report.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The event included an announcement that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be donating $3 million toward the museum's construction and the creation of a genealogy center in it.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of genealogy
Noun
  • With multiple CMEs approaching Earth in quick succession, there's still considerable uncertainty over how geomagnetic conditions will develop.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This meant that a succession of actors played Arnold over the years, until their voices changed with the onset of puberty.
    — Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 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
  • In 2009, armed men stopped a convoy of civilians, relatives, lawyers and journalists heading to submit election filings in Maguindanao and killed 58 people, at least 32 of them journalists and media workers.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Lorah declined to discuss motive but said investigators would talk to other relatives and examine the cellphones of the women who were killed outside the home.
    — Jacqueline GaNun, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of relatives
Noun
  • The genetic risk score calculation was based primarily on people of European ancestry, which could limit the study's relevance for people from other backgrounds.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Fredricks will be one of the wrestlers with Native American ancestry on the card as the show celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of ancestry
Noun
  • Ekblad left midway through the trip to be back home for the birth of his first child, a boy.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Lamm told Time in August that the company is aiming to have a woolly mammoth birth in the 2030s.
    — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of birth
Noun
  • This is a powerful story of family, ambition and music, centered on artists whose influence has resonated across generations and around the world.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Bassam Abed said at least 10 residences housing some 300 families were reduced to rubble, and families were not given enough time to flee.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of family

Browse Nearby Words

heredities
heredity
hereinbelow
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Cite this Entry

“Heredity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heredity. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heredity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heredity

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