gene flow

American  

noun

Ecology.

1. the alteration of the frequencies of alleles of particular genes in a population, resulting from interbreeding with organisms from another population having different frequencies.

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gene flow British  

noun

1. the movement and exchange of genes between interbreeding populations

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Etymology

Origin of gene flow

First recorded in 1945–50

Compare meaning

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

• gene flow vs. genetic drift

Example Sentences

Instead the gene flow "occurred predominantly between Neanderthal males and anatomically modern human females," said Alexander Platt, a senior research scientist on the study.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

That strategy, called assisted gene flow, can be accomplished by planting seeds or seedlings, or by relocating mature trees, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2024

Female hybrids could therefore be a source of continuous gene flow, which in the long term could lead to the emergence of hybrid species.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

“That gene flow that monarchs may facilitate is probably unmatched by other flower visitors to milkweeds,” Lee-Mäder said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2023

Glacial ages, characterized by extensive and continuous areas of boreal habitat, probably were times of relatively unrestricted gene flow between many populations of boreal mammals and hence not favorable to rapid speciation.

From Speciation of the Wandering Shrew by Findley, James S.