English · Science & Technology
gene
/dʒiːn/
[/dʒiːn/]
unit of heredity
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A section of DNA that carries instructions for a particular trait passed from parents to offspring.
Example
A single gene can determine whether a person's eyes will be brown, blue, or green.
A single gene can determine whether a person's eyes will be brown, blue, or green.
Etymology
Coined in 1909 by Wilhelm Johannsen from Greek 'genos' (birth, race, kind).
How & Where It’s Used
Fundamental in genetics, biology, and discussions of inheritance.