phenotype

[ fee-nuh-tahyp ]

nounGenetics.
  1. the observable constitution of an organism.

  2. the appearance of an organism resulting from the interaction of the genotype and the environment.

Origin of phenotype

1
<German Phänotypus (1909); see pheno-, -type

Other words from phenotype

  • phe·no·typ·ic [fee-nuh-tip-ik], /ˌfi nəˈtɪp ɪk/, phe·no·typ·i·cal, adjective
  • phe·no·typ·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use phenotype in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phenotype

phenotype

/ (ˈfiːnəʊˌtaɪp) /


noun
  1. the physical and biochemical characteristics of an organism as determined by the interaction of its genetic constitution and the environment: Compare genotype

Derived forms of phenotype

  • phenotypic (ˌfiːnəʊˈtɪpɪk) or phenotypical, adjective
  • phenotypically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for phenotype

phenotype

[ nə-tīp′ ]


  1. The physical appearance of an organism as distinguished from its genetic makeup. The phenotype of an organism depends on which genes are dominant and on the interaction between genes and environment. Compare genotype.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for phenotype

phenotype

[ (fee-nuh-teyep) ]


The outward appearance of an organism; the expression of a genotype in the form of traits that can be seen and measured, such as hair or eye color.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.