epigenetic
adjective
epi·ge·net·ic
ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-tik 
1
a
: of, relating to, or produced by the chain of developmental processes in epigenesis that lead from genotype to phenotype after the initial action of the genes
b
: relating to, being, or involving changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence
epigenetic inheritance
2
of a deposit or structure
: formed after the laying down of the enclosing rock
Examples of epigenetic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each individual inherits a new combination of genetic and epigenetic material, resulting in diversity that defies binary categories.
—
Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
The nucleus’s metabolic activity was specific to the functions in that compartment, including epigenetic activity.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
The researchers looked at blood samples from more than 3,600 older adults across the U.S. and assessed people's epigenetic age.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
There was a 14-month difference in epigenetic age between residents living in places like Phoenix, Arizona, than milder places like Seattle, even after accounting other individual and community-level differences, like income, education, physical activity and smoking, Choi said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epigenetic
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.
Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
The nucleus’s metabolic activity was specific to the functions in that compartment, including epigenetic activity.
—Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
The researchers looked at blood samples from more than 3,600 older adults across the U.S. and assessed people's epigenetic age.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
There was a 14-month difference in epigenetic age between residents living in places like Phoenix, Arizona, than milder places like Seattle, even after accounting other individual and community-level differences, like income, education, physical activity and smoking, Choi said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epigenetic
Cite this Entry
“Epigenetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epigenetic. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
epigenetic
adjective
epi·ge·net·ic
-jə-ˈnet-ik
1
: of, relating to, or produced by epigenesis
the epigenetic nature of vertebrate development
2
: relating to, being, or involving a modification in gene expression that is independent of the DNA sequence of a gene
epigenetic carcinogenesis
epigenetic inheritance
Methylation is one of many epigenetic signals—chemical changes to DNA and its associated proteins—that modify gene activity without altering the genetic information itself.—Tina Hesman Saey, Science News
Tina Hesman Saey, Science NewsLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share