genetic

1 of 2

adjective

ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈne-tik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants or less commonly genetical
jə-ˈne-ti-kəl How to pronounce genetic (audio)
Synonyms of geneticnext
1
: relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something
2
a
: of, relating to, or involving genetics
b
: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes
a genetic disease
genetic variation
genetically
jə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce genetic (audio)
adverb

-genetic

2 of 2

adjective combining form

1
: -genic sense 1
organogenetic
2
: -genic sense 2
psychogenetic

Synonyms of genetic

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Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of genetic in a Sentence

Adjective hemophilia and other genetic medical disorders
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have now identified a genetic mechanism for this century-old mystery, according to a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. — ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Since then, the species has been through 13 breeding seasons, with recovery efforts working to overcome challenges associated with low genetic diversity, including infertility and poor hatching success. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 The survivors will be sent to a breeding program with a goal of growing the genetic diversity of disease-tolerant elm trees. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Scientists use this technique, called candling to assess the contents of shark eggs for health, viability and genetic diversity. — Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for genetic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

genesis

First Known Use

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of genetic was in 1750

Phrases Containing genetic

Rhymes for genetic

See All Rhymes for genetic

Browse Nearby Words

genethliac
genetic
-genetic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Genetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetic. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants also genetical
-i-kəl How to pronounce genetic (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving genes or genetics
genetic research
also : caused or controlled by genes
a genetic disease
genetically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce genetic (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

genetic

adjective
ge·​net·​ic jə-ˈnet-ik How to pronounce genetic (audio)
variants also genetical
-i-kəl How to pronounce genetic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or involving genetics
2
: of, relating to, caused by, or controlled by genes
a genetic disease
genetic material
compare acquired sense 1
genetically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce genetic (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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