rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryheredityGenetic inheritance
noun

heredity

huh-RED-ih-tee/həˈredəti/

The passing of genetic traits from parents to offspring.

The child’s resemblance to the parents illustrates heredity.

A child stands between both parents, showing a family resemblance through the mother's red-brown curly hair and both parents' smile shape; warm natural family grouping without racial ranking or exaggerated features.
Etymology
heredLatinheir
+ityLatinstate or condition

An heir receives an inheritance; heredity extended from inheritance and succession to the transmission of parental qualities. In biology, the inheritance consists of traits passed to offspring.

In context

Talking With Docs12:05
the most important factor is hereditary. um heredity quite frankly we see it
Varicose Veins Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

More examples

  • The lesson explained heredity through family patterns.
  • The study considered both environment and heredity.
  • She investigated the role of heredity in the trait.

Forms

heredity

hereditary adjective — passed genetically from parents to offspring

Similar words

inheritance
Inheritance is broad transmission of something; heredity specifically concerns biological traits.
genetics
Genetics studies genes and heredity; heredity is the process itself.