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

See Examples For:

gene flow

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

Officials in the report note that most of the lion groups proposed for listing are contending with a lack of gene flow because urban barriers keep them from reaching one another.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2025

However, it is often assumed that extensive gene flow can only take place between populations that belong to the same, and not different, species.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 12, 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

Also, these bats are strong fliers; even between fairly distant colonies there may be considerable gene flow.

From A New Subspecies of Bat (Myotis velifer) from Southeastern California and Arizona by Vaughan, Terry A.