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
To Kenyon, who now serves as the vice president of aging research at Calico, the fact that animals have such a wide range of lifespans was evidence that the aging process is directed by genes.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Identical twins, who share exact genes, drew remarkably similar levels of mosquito interest.
—Ryan Brennan
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The comedy genes doubled down in Newman's daughter Hannah Einbinder, who won the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy Award for her role as Ava Daniels in Hacks.
—Alison Schwartz, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
That gene, called rplW, seems to be the critical holdup.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gene
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Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Identical twins, who share exact genes, drew remarkably similar levels of mosquito interest.
—Ryan Brennan
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The comedy genes doubled down in Newman's daughter Hannah Einbinder, who won the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy Award for her role as Ava Daniels in Hacks.
—Alison Schwartz, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
That gene, called rplW, seems to be the critical holdup.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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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