Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

epigenetics

/ˌɛpɪd͡ʒəˈnɛtɪks/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.40 in modern English

Syllables: epi-ge-net-ics
IPA: /ˌɛpɪd͡ʒəˈnɛtɪks/

16

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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

Uncountable

noun

The study of heritable changes caused by the activation and deactivation of genes without any change in DNA sequence.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

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

Etymology

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

Usage

Uncountable

Derived Forms

metaboloepigenetics neuroepigenetics pharmacoepigenetics

Phrases

genetic determinism gene expression gene silencing

Frequently Paired Words

epigenetic epigenome genetic determinism gene expression gene silencing epistasis

Questions

How do you pronounce epigenetics?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɛpɪd͡ʒəˈnɛtɪks/.
What does epigenetics mean?: The study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.
Where does epigenetics come from?: Blend of epigenesis + genetics; coined by British biologist and geneticist C. H. Waddington in 1942.

How to pronounce epigenetics

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “epigenetics”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɛpɪd͡ʒəˈnɛtɪks/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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