gene

noun

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 It has been used to suggest that the expression of four genes, not previously linked to heart disease, should be inhibited in order to help restore health to diseased heart cells. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Matthew Cobb, a zoologist at the University of Manchester in England who was not involved in the research, tells the Washington Post that the researchers may be unable to introduce the mammoth gene edits to the elephant cells or get the embryos to develop. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Humans, on the other hand, only have one copy of this gene. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 But many of its genes have moved to the host’s genome. Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 As to the identity of these specific genes, there were plenty of possibilities, since there are around 100 that are thought to impact the length of the tail in mice alone. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 The researchers homed in on variants of five genes that were strongly correlated with extreme longevity. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Through epigenetic inheritance, altered genes, cultivated from going through traumatic experiences—typically during early childhood—are passed from parent to child. Jazmin Towe, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024 One part of that is building gene editors that are safe to infuse into people directly. Megan Molteni, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Gen, short for Pangen, from pan- + -gen

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gene was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near gene

Cite this Entry

“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids 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

More from Merriam-Webster on gene

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