gene

See also Gene

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /dʒiːn/, SAMPA: /dZi:n/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophones: Jean, Gene

Noun

Singular gene

Plural genes

1. (countable) A gene is a chemical instruction in a person, animal, plant, or other living thing, telling how to make a protein. The genes are found in the nucleus (middle part) of cells, and tell how to make the organism (living thing).

   I have a blue-eye gene.

   The biologists changed the fly's genes, so it grew legs where its eyes should be.

Related words

• genetic
• geneticist