heritability

noun

her·​i·​ta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌher-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌhe-rə-

1

: the quality or state of being heritable

2

: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (such as height) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones

Examples of heritability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More recent studies have identified a range of genes associated with the development of autism, which have further reinforced the role of heritability in its onset. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

So, even if a child has a high genetic propensity for reading ability, without the environmental element, that 80% heritability figure for verbal skills is moot. —Dalton Conley, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025

As for verbal ability, the heritability rises from 48% at age 5 to over 70% by the time a kid takes the SAT. —Dalton Conley, TIME, 19 Mar. 2025

Overall, the study found that genetic factors contribute to around 37% heritability of depression across the study's population. —New Atlas, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

herit(able) + -ability

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heritability

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability

Medical Definition

heritability

noun

her·​i·​ta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌher-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural heritabilities

1

: the quality or state of being heritable

2

: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (as intelligence) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones