gene flow

noun

: the passage and establishment of genes typical of one breeding population into the gene pool of another

Examples of gene flow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The areas of the human genome that had no traces of Neanderthal ancestry, the studies suggest, were quickly stripped of Neanderthal sequences through evolution after the gene flow. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024 The gene flow also provides insight on the spread of Neanderthal genes once humans began settling in other areas of the world. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024 The extended period of gene flow, lasting about 7,000 years, matches archaeological evidence of overlap between the two hominin groups in Eurasia. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024 For that study, Princeton University researchers looked at recurrent gene flow between humans and Neandertals over the last 200,000 years. Daniel Vergano, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gene flow 

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gene flow was in 1939

Dictionary Entries Near gene flow

Cite this Entry

“Gene flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene%20flow. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

gene flow

noun
: the passage and establishment of genes typical of one breeding population into the gene pool of another

More from Merriam-Webster on gene flow

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