genetics

noun

ge·​net·​ics jə-ˈne-tiks How to pronounce genetics (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
1
: a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms
2
: the genetic makeup and phenomena of an organism, type, group, or condition
geneticist noun

Examples of genetics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Greg Lutz of Louisiana State University, who has been researching the role of genetics in aquaculture for decades, told MIT Technology. al, 5 Feb. 2023 While a bulk of living longer and avoiding debilitating chronic illnesses lies in lifestyle changes, another factor is genetics, and the other is mere luck. Alexa Mikhail, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2023 George Church is a professor of genetics and of health sciences and technology at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Juergen Eckhardt and George Church, STAT, 1 Feb. 2023 The field of genetics has historically been misused to justify pre-existing prejudices. Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for genetics 

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of genetics was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near genetics

Cite this Entry

“Genetics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetics. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

genetics

noun
ge·​net·​ics jə-ˈnet-iks How to pronounce genetics (audio)
: a branch of biology that deals with the inherited traits and variation of organisms

Medical Definition

genetics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction
ge·​net·​ics jə-ˈnet-iks How to pronounce genetics (audio)
1
a
: a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms
b
: a treatise or textbook on genetics
2
: the genetic makeup and phenomena of an organism, type, group, or condition

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