epigenetics

E1P3I1G2E1N1E1T1I1C3S1
/ˌɛpɪd͡ʒəˈnɛtɪks/

noun

The study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.

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Meanings

nounepigenetics (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologyThe study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.

    Epigenetics deals with the regulation of genetic activity within a cell - which genes are switched on or off, and when it happens.

    2010 November 6, “Sins of the Fathers”, in New Scientist
    1 more example

    The nuts and bolts of how this happens revolves around the massively trendy field of “epigenetics,” revealing how early life experience causes long-lasting changes in gene expression in particular brain regions.

    2023, Robert M. Sapolsky, Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, New York: Penguin, →ISBN
  2. uncountablebiologyThe study of heritable changes caused by the activation and deactivation of genes without any change in DNA sequence.

Origin

Blend of epigenesis + genetics; coined by British biologist and geneticist C. H. Waddington in 1942.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 表觀遺傳學 /表观遗传学
  • 表觀遺傳學 /表观遗传学 (biǎoguān yíchuánxué)study of processes
Dutch epigenetica, epigenetica
  • epigeneticastudy of processes
  • epigeneticastudy of heritable changes
French épigénétique, épigénétique
  • épigénétiquestudy of processes
  • épigénétiquestudy of heritable changes
German Epigenetik, Epigenetik
  • Epigenetikstudy of processes
  • Epigenetikstudy of heritable changes
Hungarian epigenetika, epigenetika
  • epigenetikastudy of processes
  • epigenetikastudy of heritable changes
Indonesian epigenetika, epigenetika
  • epigenetikastudy of processes
  • epigenetikastudy of heritable changes
Irish eipigéineolaíocht, eipigéineolaíocht
  • eipigéineolaíochtstudy of processes
  • eipigéineolaíochtstudy of heritable changes
Italian epigenetica, epigenetica
  • epigeneticastudy of processes
  • epigeneticastudy of heritable changes
Japanese エピジェネティクス, 後生学
  • エピジェネティクス (epijenetikusu)study of processes
  • 後生学 (kōseigaku)study of processes
  • エピジェネティクス (epijenetikusu)study of heritable changes
  • 後生学 (kōseigaku)study of heritable changes
Polish epigenetyka, epigenetyka
  • epigenetykastudy of processes
  • epigenetykastudy of heritable changes
Portuguese epigenética, epigenética
  • epigenéticastudy of processes
  • epigenéticastudy of heritable changes
Russian эпигенетика, эпигенетика
  • эпигенетика (epigenetika)study of processes
  • эпигенетика (epigenetika)study of heritable changes
Spanish epigenética, epigenética
  • epigenéticastudy of processes
  • epigenéticastudy of heritable changes
Swedish epigenetik, epigenetik
  • epigenetikstudy of processes
  • epigenetikstudy of heritable changes
Ukrainian епігенетика, епігенетика
  • епігенетика (epihenetyka)study of processes
  • епігенетика (epihenetyka)study of heritable changes
Cite this entry
APA

epigenetics. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epigenetics

MLA

“epigenetics.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epigenetics. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “epigenetics,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epigenetics.

Source: epigenetics on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.