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
The scientists edited mouse genes related to their hair and fat metabolism — two qualities woolly mammoths needed to survive in their Arctic habitat.
—
Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
What is needed is a way to refresh the gene line with new DNA, and science may have a way.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Morris put himself right in the middle of all the action and all the greatness, then passed along his coaching genes to his son, Reggie Jr., who is on his way to his own Hall of Fame coaching career.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
The lucky women who lived long enough to become grandmothers passed on their longevity genes to their children and grandchildren.
—Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
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Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
What is needed is a way to refresh the gene line with new DNA, and science may have a way.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Morris put himself right in the middle of all the action and all the greatness, then passed along his coaching genes to his son, Reggie Jr., who is on his way to his own Hall of Fame coaching career.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
The lucky women who lived long enough to become grandmothers passed on their longevity genes to their children and grandchildren.
—Marianne Krasny, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gene
Cite this Entry
“Gene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gene. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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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