heredity

noun

he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈre-də-tē How to pronounce heredity (audio)
Synonyms of hereditynext
1
a
: inheritance
b
: tradition
2
a
: the sum of the characteristics and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
b
: the transmission of such qualities from ancestor to descendant through the genes

Examples of heredity in a Sentence

Heredity plays no part in the disease.
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.
To truly understand genes and heredity, researchers had to learn to read the DNA code. — Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025 In short, heredity advancement driven by desire. — D. Scott Schmid, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025 Central to Burbank’s thesis was his belief that environment mattered as much, if not more, than heredity. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026 For people who are profoundly deaf, there is an interruption of the sound signal to the auditory nerve, which can be caused by illness, trauma, or heredity. — IEEE Spectrum, 27 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for heredity

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French heredité, borrowed from Latin hērēditāt-, hērēditās "inheritance," from hērēd-, hērēs heir entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heredity was circa 1540

Browse Nearby Words

hereditas jacens
heredity
heredo-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heredity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heredity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heredity

noun
he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē How to pronounce heredity (audio)
plural heredities
1
: the genes and the genetic traits whose expression they control that are passed on from one's parents
2
: the passing on of genes and genetic traits from parent to offspring

Medical Definition

heredity

noun
he·​red·​i·​ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē How to pronounce heredity (audio)
plural heredities
1
: the sum of the qualities and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors
2
: the transmission of traits from ancestor to descendant through the molecular mechanism lying primarily in the DNA or RNA of the genes compare meiosis
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