mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
myü-ˈtā-shən 
1
: a significant and basic alteration : change
2
: umlaut
3
a
: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and that occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction
Mutations known to cause disease have been identified in approximately 1000 genes.—
Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins
Alan E. Guttmacher and Francis S. Collins
also
: the process of producing a mutation
Microorganisms have been used extensively to study mutation … —George A. Wistreich et al.
George A. Wistreich et al.
b
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
The worst E. coli bacterium, E. coli 0157:H, a mutation discovered in 1982 that has at least sixty-two subtypes, causes hemorrhagic colitis …—Wayne Biddle
Wayne Biddle
mutationally
adverb
Examples of mutation in a Sentence
The cat's short tail is the result of mutation.
The condition is caused by a genetic mutation.
The building is a mutation of the original design.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2020, a study published in Nature showed that in addition to other profound deficits, such as difficulty walking, people with a rare mutation that affects one type of these channels, called Piezo2, struggle to sense their bladders filling.
—Emily Underwood, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2024
Yet the virus's spread into multiple species over a vast geographic area raises the threat that further mutations could create a virus that spreads from human to human through airborne transmission, causing respiratory infections.
—Arthur Allen, CBS News, 29 May 2024
So trying to look at the DNA mutations that are present there.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
The San Diego company, which was founded in 2021, is betting on precision medicine to tackle common mutations that drive cancer.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mutation 
Emily Underwood, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 June 2024
Yet the virus's spread into multiple species over a vast geographic area raises the threat that further mutations could create a virus that spreads from human to human through airborne transmission, causing respiratory infections.
—Arthur Allen, CBS News, 29 May 2024
So trying to look at the DNA mutations that are present there.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
The San Diego company, which was founded in 2021, is betting on precision medicine to tackle common mutations that drive cancer.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mutation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mutation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mutation
Cite this Entry
“Mutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutation. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
myü-ˈtā-shən
1
: a basic and important change
2
a
: a permanent change in hereditary material involving either a change in the position of the genes on the chromosomes or a basic change in the chemical structure of a gene
also
: the process of producing a mutation
b
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
Medical Definition
mutation
noun
mu·ta·tion
myü-ˈtā-shən
1
: a relatively permanent change in hereditary material that involves either a change in chromosome structure or number (as in translocation, deletion, duplication, or polyploidy) or a change in the nucleotide sequence of a gene's codons (as in frameshift or missense errors) and occurs either in germ cells or in somatic cells but with only those in germ cells being capable of perpetuation by sexual reproduction
also
: the process of producing a mutation
2
: an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation
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