genetics

American  

[juh-net-iks] / dʒəˈnɛt ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. Biology. the science of heredity, dealing with resemblances and differences of related organisms resulting from the interaction of their genes and the environment.

2. the genetic properties and phenomena of an organism.

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genetics British  

/ dʒɪˈnɛtɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of biology concerned with the study of heredity and variation in organisms

2. the genetic features and constitution of a single organism, species, or group

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genetics Scientific  

/ jə-nĕt′ĭks /

1. The scientific study of the principles of heredity and the variation of inherited traits among related organisms.

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genetics Cultural  

1. The study of heredity, or how the characteristics of living things are transmitted from one generation to the next. Every living thing contains the genetic material that makes up DNA molecules. This material is passed on when organisms reproduce. The basic unit of heredity is the gene. (See chromosomes; dominant trait; genetic code; Gregor Mendel; recessive trait; and sexual reproduction.)

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Etymology

Origin of genetics

First recorded in 1905; see genetic, -ics; term first proposed in this sense by British biologist William Bateson (1861–1926)

Compare meaning

How does genetics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• heredity vs. genetics

Explanation

Genetics is the study of the traits people and other animals inherit from their family through DNA. Compare the size of your nose to your father's and you are dealing with genetics — but only if he's your biological father. Genetics involves studying genes — DNA — to look at how organisms evolve and are related. Scientists use genetics to prove whether genes for things like depression or intelligence exist. One of the most commonly discussed examples of genetics is what determines if a man will lose his hair: oddly, men inherit the baldness gene from their mothers, not their fathers.

Example Sentences

A newly published book, "Genìa Da Vinci. Genealogy and Genetics for Leonardo's DNA," brings together three decades of research led by Alessandro Vezzosi and Agnese Sabato of the Leonardo Da Vinci Heritage Association in Vinci.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

"Squids and cuttlefish have so many unique features compared to other animal groups, making them an endless source of inspiration for scientists," says Prof. Daniel Rokhsar, head of the Molecular Genetics Unit.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Genetics plays a role, and screen-time increases the risk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"To understand complex traits, we really need to focus on the network," says Pritchard, a professor of Biology and Genetics at Stanford, who co-led the study with Marson.

From Science Daily • Dec. 16, 2025

In May 2009 the American Civil Liberties Union, several breast- cancer survivors, and professional groups representing more than 150,0 scientists sued Myriad Genetics over its breast-cancer gene patents.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• ancestry
• lineage