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
Sam Fetters These events could include mutations in dividing fetal cells, or something that causes certain genes to be switched on or off.
—
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Beautiful people from some of the top agencies in town (Wilhelmina, Next, Elite) will compare genes for this two-day fundraiser benefiting The Little Lighthouse Foundation.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
These viruses were a much more efficient way to transfer genes.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Because Christianity was the incubator of Western civilization, that gene was passed on.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
Dana-Farber uses a Mayo Clinic test that searches for eight potentially dangerous variants of the relevant gene.
—Arthur Allen | Kff Health News, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
That sophisticated testing is used to offer treatments tailored to an individual’s specific genes.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Others still get satisfaction from passing on their genes.
—John Otis, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
SNPs are often found in between genes and signal common types of genetic commonalities among particular groups of related people.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 4 Apr. 2024
Beautiful people from some of the top agencies in town (Wilhelmina, Next, Elite) will compare genes for this two-day fundraiser benefiting The Little Lighthouse Foundation.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
These viruses were a much more efficient way to transfer genes.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Because Christianity was the incubator of Western civilization, that gene was passed on.
—James Carroll, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
Dana-Farber uses a Mayo Clinic test that searches for eight potentially dangerous variants of the relevant gene.
—Arthur Allen | Kff Health News, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
That sophisticated testing is used to offer treatments tailored to an individual’s specific genes.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Others still get satisfaction from passing on their genes.
—John Otis, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
SNPs are often found in between genes and signal common types of genetic commonalities among particular groups of related people.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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
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