genetic fingerprint

British

noun

the pattern of DNA unique to each individual that can be analysed in a sample of blood, saliva, or tissue: used as a means of identification

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Using advanced computational techniques, the team searched for CAG-170's genetic fingerprint in gut microbiome samples from more than 11,000 people across 39 countries.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026

An onboard polymerase chain reaction machine will allow them to quickly detect H5N1’s genetic fingerprint in cloacal swabs and other samples, helping them map infections.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 18, 2024

Dr. Walters collected mounting reports of antibiotic-resistant infections in several states that had a strikingly similar genetic fingerprint.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2023

He had the killer’s genetic fingerprint, and Holes doggedly tracked advances in DNA technology.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2022

Back in June, also in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, they tried to validate the lab-leak theory by examining the virus’ genetic fingerprint.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2021

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023