heredity
noun
he·red·i·ty hə-ˈre-də-tē 
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
Example Sentences
Heredity plays no part in the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web There are some factors that help a musician get started – and heredity could be one of them. 
Bryan Nichols, The Conversation, 16 Aug. 2022 That’s where her legacy takes a dark turn. Owens-Adair, who died in 1926 at 86, led the charge for a state sterilization law, based on her belief in eugenics, a scientific theory about heredity that is now considered racially biased and unethical. oregonlive, 10 May 2021 Wilson believed democracy wasn’t an abstract system but a racial endowment of the Saxon people carried forward genetically through our germ plasm (the conduit of heredity according to German scientists in the late 19th century). Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 16 Mar. 2022 In the years between Passing the book and the release of Passing the movie, ideas around race, heredity, and multiracial identity have transformed countless times — within families, within institutions, and within pop culture. Brittany Luse, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2021 Other lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of activity, blood pressure, and heredity can influence cholesterol levels. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2021 Such a critique of capitalism quickly becomes a prisoner of its own heredity. Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 22 June 2021 Not surprisingly, the findings suggest that heredity and environment do contribute to musical aptitude and achievement. Cindi May, Scientific American, 21 May 2021 Such cases have increasingly come to light as children born as a result of such procedures take DNA heredity tests, though some victims have encountered trouble bringing the doctors to justice. Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland, 8 Feb. 2021 See More
Bryan Nichols, The Conversation, 16 Aug. 2022 That’s where her legacy takes a dark turn. Owens-Adair, who died in 1926 at 86, led the charge for a state sterilization law, based on her belief in eugenics, a scientific theory about heredity that is now considered racially biased and unethical. oregonlive, 10 May 2021 Wilson believed democracy wasn’t an abstract system but a racial endowment of the Saxon people carried forward genetically through our germ plasm (the conduit of heredity according to German scientists in the late 19th century). Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 16 Mar. 2022 In the years between Passing the book and the release of Passing the movie, ideas around race, heredity, and multiracial identity have transformed countless times — within families, within institutions, and within pop culture. Brittany Luse, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2021 Other lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of activity, blood pressure, and heredity can influence cholesterol levels. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2021 Such a critique of capitalism quickly becomes a prisoner of its own heredity. Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 22 June 2021 Not surprisingly, the findings suggest that heredity and environment do contribute to musical aptitude and achievement. Cindi May, Scientific American, 21 May 2021 Such cases have increasingly come to light as children born as a result of such procedures take DNA heredity tests, though some victims have encountered trouble bringing the doctors to justice. Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland, 8 Feb. 2021 See More 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
Kids Definition
heredity
noun
he·red·i·ty hə-ˈre-də-tē
plural heredities
: the passing on of characteristics (as the color of the eyes or hair) from parents to offspring
Medical Definition
heredity
noun
he·red·i·ty hə-ˈred-ət-ē
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
heredity
noun
as in blood
formal the natural process by which physical and mental qualities are passed from a parent to a child Heredity plays no part in the disease. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- blood
- genealogy
- breeding
- succession
- ancestry
- relatives
- birth
- parentage
- family
- race
- origin
- lineage
- bloodline
- pedigree
- extraction
- strain
- descent
- relations
- family tree
- house
- kindred
- stock
- kin
- line
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- offspring
- child
- son
- heir
- successor
- progeny
- issue
- posterity
- inheritor
- seed