phenotype

[fee-nuh-tahyp]

noun

Genetics.

1. the observable constitution of an organism.

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

phenotype

/ ˌfiːnəʊˈtɪpɪk, 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

phenotype

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.

2. Compare genotype

phenotype

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• phenotypically adverb
• phenotypic adjective
• phenotypical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenotype¹

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