heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈre-də-tē How to pronounce heredity (audio)
1
2
a
: the sum of the characteristics and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
b
: the transmission of such qualities from ancestor to descendant through the genes

Examples of heredity in a Sentence

Heredity plays no part in the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web However, when each individual child reaches their final height depends on a variety of factors including their personal puberty timeline, heredity, nutrition, and medical history. Maria Carter, Parents, 14 Sep. 2023 Why is heart disease considered a 'positive' heredity indicator? Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 8 Sep. 2023 Indeed, the first references to epistasis came shortly after the rediscovery of Gregor Mendel’s experiments at the turn of the 20th century, which established our modern ideas of heredity and genes. C. Brandon Ogbunu, Quanta Magazine, 31 July 2023 In all these cases, history, not heredity, determined who appeared. Laura Goldblatt, The Conversation, 21 June 2023 Enter Email Sign Up As Dr. zur Hausen began his research in the 1970s, most cancer specialists believed cervical cancer was mostly triggered by factors such as hormones or heredity. Brian Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2023 So the book ends a far sight from where it’s begun, having sloughed off simplistic questions about heredity. Colin Dickey, The New Republic, 21 Mar. 2022 In cancer, the interplay between environment, heredity and random chance is a bit like pulling the lever on a slot machine. Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2017 Studies of identical twins have found that heredity factors account for around 80% of men's predisposition to baldness, though the genetics are poorly understood. Oscar Holland, CNN, 20 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heredity.' 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

borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French heredité, borrowed from Latin hērēditāt-, hērēditās "inheritance," from hērēd-, hērēs heir entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heredity was circa 1540

Dictionary Entries Near heredity

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

heredity

noun
he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē How to pronounce heredity (audio)
plural heredities
1
: the genes and the genetic traits whose expression they control that are passed on from one's parents
2
: the passing on of genes and genetic traits from parent to offspring

Medical Definition

heredity

noun
he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē How to pronounce heredity (audio)
plural heredities
1
: the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
2
: the transmission of traits from ancestor to descendant through the molecular mechanism lying primarily in the DNA or RNA of the genes compare meiosis
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