polygenic

adjective

poly·​gen·​ic ˌpä-lē-ˈje-nik How to pronounce polygenic (audio) -ˈjē- How to pronounce polygenic (audio)
: of, relating to, mediated by, or constituting polygenes : involving two or more nonallelic genes collectively in determining inherited characteristics : multifactorial sense 1
polygenic inheritance
polygenic traits
Others think the allergic state is polygenic: transmitted by a number of genes whose combined expression is necessary to make a person allergic.—Paul D. Buisseret

Examples of polygenic in a Sentence

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.
Back in the lab Back at Herasight, Schleede shows how polygenic risk scores are calculated. — Rob Stein, NPR, 6 May 2026 The videos show how, using advanced machine learning, one company is offering polygenic risk scoring. — Phineas Rueckert, Longreads, 3 Mar. 2026 The finding contradicts the general consensus on the polygenic origin of mental disorders. — Jorge Garay, Wired News, 8 Dec. 2025 Traditionally, scientists have believed that telomere length is either a polygenic trait, controlled by multiple genes, or is passed directly to the offspring through parental sperm and egg cells. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polygenic

Word History

Etymology

poly- + gene + -ic entry 1, after German polygen

Note: The term polygen was introduced by the German zoologist and social Darwinist Ludwig Plate (1862-1937) in Vererbungslehre, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung des Menschen (Leipzig, 1913), p. 75

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polygenic was in 1928

Rhymes for polygenic

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Browse Nearby Words

polygenetic
polygenic
polygenic system
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Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

polygenic

adjective
poly·​gen·​ic ˌpäl-i-ˈjēn-ik How to pronounce polygenic (audio) -ˈjen-ik How to pronounce polygenic (audio)
: of, relating to, or resulting from polygenes : multifactorial
a polygenic disorder
polygenically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce polygenic (audio)
adverb
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