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
The study authors found a single nucleotide change early on in the gene that codes for KEAP1, which would normally halt protein production.
—
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2025
She was born with athletic genes and financial resources.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
The donor liver in this case came from a pig that had received six modifications to certain genes in order to remove major pig proteins that would have led to rejection; the editing technique also added genes that made the liver appear more human to immune cells.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Athletic genes: Bibby is the son of one-time NBA player and USC Trojans men’s basketball coach Henry Bibby and the nephew of Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Bibby.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
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.
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2025
She was born with athletic genes and financial resources.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
The donor liver in this case came from a pig that had received six modifications to certain genes in order to remove major pig proteins that would have led to rejection; the editing technique also added genes that made the liver appear more human to immune cells.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Athletic genes: Bibby is the son of one-time NBA player and USC Trojans men’s basketball coach Henry Bibby and the nephew of Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Bibby.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share