mutation

noun

mu·​ta·​tion myü-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce mutation (audio)
1
: a significant and basic alteration : change
2
: umlaut
3
a
: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and that occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction
Mutations known to cause disease have been identified in approximately 1000 genes.Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins
also : the process of producing a mutation
Microorganisms have been used extensively to study mutationGeorge A. Wistreich et al.
b
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
The worst E. coli bacterium, E. coli 0157:H, a mutation discovered in 1982 that has at least sixty-two subtypes, causes hemorrhagic colitis …Wayne Biddle
mutational adjective
mutationally adverb

Examples of mutation in a Sentence

The cat's short tail is the result of mutation. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation. The building is a mutation of the original design.
Recent Examples on the Web At the outset of their search, Xia and colleagues suspected that the apes shed their tails through the mutation of specific genes. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 Interestingly, the differences in tail outcomes didn’t just result from the mutations to TBXT genes. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024 Wu’s research focused on small mutations in cancer tumor cells. Katie Hunt, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 Apart from what Greenbaum calls hotspot mutations, such as those in KRAS, most mutations are specific to an individual’s cancer. Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024 Frances was selected for a program by n-lorem, a nonprofit foundation that treats nano-rare patients, people who are one of less than 30 patients worldwide with that exact mutation. Chris Bieri, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2024 This mutation fails to produce a protein known as otoferlin, which is necessary for the transmission of sound signals from the ear to the brain, according to the researchers. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2024 What was the nature of their competition? Because of mutations that arise spontaneously in tissues, the different germ cells in an organism can have slightly different genes. Quanta Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024 These mutations, which occur as the tumor grows, create proteins that are slightly different to those in healthy cells. Katie Hunt, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mutation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near mutation

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

mutation

noun
mu·​ta·​tion myü-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce mutation (audio)
1
: a basic and important change
2
a
: a permanent change in hereditary material involving either a change in the position of the genes on the chromosomes or a basic change in the chemical structure of a gene
also : the process of producing a mutation
b
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation

Medical Definition

mutation

noun
mu·​ta·​tion myü-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce mutation (audio)
1
: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction
also : the process of producing a mutation
2
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
mutational adjective
mutationally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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