multifactorial
adjective
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al
ˌməl-tē-fak-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 
-ˌtī-
1
: caused or marked by a polygenic mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
The essence of multifactorial (polygenic) inheritance is that a single component of the phenotype (a single character) can be controlled by several independent gene loci.—
Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr
also
: caused by or dependent on the interaction of multiple genes combined with one or more environmental factors
Breast cancer is what scientists call "multifactorial" in that a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. —Francesca Lyman
Francesca Lyman 2
or multifactor
ˌməl-tē-ˈfak-tər
: having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
-ˌtī-
a multifactorial approach
multifactor authentication
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.—Matt McCarthy
Matt McCarthyExamples of multifactorial in a Sentence
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In other words, this death occurred due to multifactorial conditions.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Experts say the cause of autism is multifactorial.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
As Pruchnicki notes, accidents are multifactorial.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Part of the problem is that pain management is multifactorial, blending elements of neurology, psychology, physiology and even social context.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
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Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Experts say the cause of autism is multifactorial.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
As Pruchnicki notes, accidents are multifactorial.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Part of the problem is that pain management is multifactorial, blending elements of neurology, psychology, physiology and even social context.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for multifactorial
Cite this Entry
“Multifactorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multifactorial. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
multifactorial
adjective
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al
-fak-ˈtōr-ē-əl, -ˈtȯr-
1
: caused or marked by a polygenic mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
The essence of multifactorial (polygenic) inheritance is that a single component of the phenotype (a single character) can be controlled by several independent gene loci.—Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr
also
: caused by or dependent on the interaction of multiple genes combined with one or more environmental factors
Breast cancer is what scientists call "multifactorial" in that a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. —Francesca Lyman
Francesca Lyman 2
or multifactor
: having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
a multifactorial study
a disease with a multifactorial etiology
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.—Matt McCarthy
Matt McCarthyLove words? Need even more definitions?
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