mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
myü-ˈtā-shən 
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
Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins
also
: the process of producing a mutation
Microorganisms have been used extensively to study mutation … —George A. Wistreich et al.
George 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
Wayne Biddle
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
The mutation appears to have arisen through reassortment, a genetic mixing process that occurs when influenza viruses exchange segments.
—John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
His relatives who carry the mutation begin showing Alzheimer’s symptoms between ages 47 and 50.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Richard Webby, an infectious disease expert at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., said the discovery of the mutation wasn’t alarming in and of itself.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
The cell’s attempt to repair this damage can result in a characteristic pattern of mutations – such as the signature being sought here – which serves as a molecular record indicating past haloalkane exposure.
—New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mutation
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.
John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
His relatives who carry the mutation begin showing Alzheimer’s symptoms between ages 47 and 50.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Richard Webby, an infectious disease expert at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., said the discovery of the mutation wasn’t alarming in and of itself.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
The cell’s attempt to repair this damage can result in a characteristic pattern of mutations – such as the signature being sought here – which serves as a molecular record indicating past haloalkane exposure.
—New Atlas, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mutation
Cite this Entry
“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutation. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
myü-ˈtā-shən
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share