1
: any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus (see locus sense 3)
2
: either of a pair of alternative Mendelian characters (see character entry 1 sense 1b(3)) (such as smooth and wrinkled seed in the pea)
Examples of allele in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most people who acquire type 1 diabetes have at least one of two specific-risk-conferring gene variants, or alleles, in this region.
—
Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
Cahn said that, for each gene, a cat inherits one copy, called an allele, from each parent.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Notably, the bitter sensitive alleles were also nominally associated with chronic kidney diseases and a range of markers of kidney health, including urinary proline betaine levels, glomerular filtration rate, serum non-albumin protein, and glucose levels 2 h after an oral glucose challenge.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
The cognitive and neurodegenerative changes were greater for participants who carried the APOE-e4 allele, which is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for allele
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Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
Cahn said that, for each gene, a cat inherits one copy, called an allele, from each parent.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Notably, the bitter sensitive alleles were also nominally associated with chronic kidney diseases and a range of markers of kidney health, including urinary proline betaine levels, glomerular filtration rate, serum non-albumin protein, and glucose levels 2 h after an oral glucose challenge.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 15 June 2025
The cognitive and neurodegenerative changes were greater for participants who carried the APOE-e4 allele, which is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for allele
Cite this Entry
“Allele.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allele. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
allele
noun
al·lele
ə-ˈlē(ə)l 
1
: any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus
2
: either of a pair of alternative Mendelian characters (as ability versus inability to taste the chemical phenylthiocarbamide)
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