heritable
adjective
her·i·ta·ble
ˈher-ə-tə-bəl 
ˈhe-rə-
1
: capable of being inherited or of passing by inheritance
2
Examples of heritable in a Sentence
heritable characteristics like skin and eye and hair color
Recent Examples on the Web
Haidt is far from the first person to assert that a proper understanding of evolutionary science implies the existence of heritable group differences, including in intelligence, that conform to common stereotypes.
—
Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
For now, most therapies target the body's somatic cells, not the germline—but as our tools improve, the possibility of heritable cures edges closer, raising hope and new ethical questions.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Programs slated for elimination include Healthy Start, which is dedicated to healthy pregnancies and births, newborn screenings for heritable disorders and hearing, infant and early childhood mental health, childhood lead poisoning, family planning and drowning prevention.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Behavioral traits have a heritable component and are more readily observable than skeletal structure when assessing a dog's suitability for specific work.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritable
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Erik Baker, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025
For now, most therapies target the body's somatic cells, not the germline—but as our tools improve, the possibility of heritable cures edges closer, raising hope and new ethical questions.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Programs slated for elimination include Healthy Start, which is dedicated to healthy pregnancies and births, newborn screenings for heritable disorders and hearing, infant and early childhood mental health, childhood lead poisoning, family planning and drowning prevention.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Behavioral traits have a heritable component and are more readily observable than skeletal structure when assessing a dog's suitability for specific work.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heritable
Cite this Entry
“Heritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heritable. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heritable
adjective
her·i·ta·ble
ˈher-ət-ə-bəl
: capable of being inherited : hereditary
heritable differences in structure
Medical Definition
heritable
adjective
her·i·ta·ble
ˈher-ət-ə-bəl
: hereditary
one of several heritable childhood cancers—W. K. Cavenee et al.
W. K. Cavenee et al.Legal Definition
heritable
adjective
her·i·ta·ble
ˈher-ə-tə-bəl
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