heritability
noun
her·i·ta·bil·i·ty
ˌher-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
ˌhe-rə-
1
: the quality or state of being heritable
2
: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (such as height) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones
Examples of heritability in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The resulting estimates of heritability are only about a third of those based on twin studies.
—
Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Overall, identical twins tended to have more similar eating times and chronotypes than fraternal twins, showing moderate heritability.
—New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Donald Trump is certainly not a heritability denier.
—Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
More recent studies have identified a range of genes associated with the development of autism, which have further reinforced the role of heritability in its onset.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritability
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Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Overall, identical twins tended to have more similar eating times and chronotypes than fraternal twins, showing moderate heritability.
—New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Donald Trump is certainly not a heritability denier.
—Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
More recent studies have identified a range of genes associated with the development of autism, which have further reinforced the role of heritability in its onset.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritability
Cite this Entry
“Heritability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heritability. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
heritability
noun
her·i·ta·bil·i·ty
ˌher-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural heritabilities
1
: the quality or state of being heritable
2
: the proportion of observed variation in a particular trait (as intelligence) that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors in contrast to environmental ones
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