heredity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “heredity” mean?
The biological process whereby genetic traits are transmitted from parents to offspring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The biological process whereby genetic traits are transmitted from parents to offspring.
The inheritance of qualities, characteristics, or titles through familial or societal lines; the concept of legacy or inherent predisposition in non-biological contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally strong scientific and formal connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic texts due to larger volume of published research in genetics, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “heredity” in a Sentence
heredity + verb (determines, governs, influences)heredity + preposition (in, of)adjective + heredity (Mendelian, chromosomal)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heredity” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The trait is heredited through the maternal line. (Note: Non-standard; 'inherited' is preferred)
American English
- (No standard verb form exists. Use 'to be inherited'.)
adverb
British English
- The title passed hereditarily to the eldest son. (Rare)
American English
- The disease was transmitted hereditarily. (Formal/Technical)
adjective
British English
- The hereditary principle governed the succession. (Note: 'hereditary' is the adjectival form)
American English
- Hereditary factors play a significant role.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. May appear in contexts of family-owned businesses: 'The leadership role seemed a matter of heredity.'
Academic
Common in biology, genetics, psychology, and sociology texts discussing nature vs. nurture.
Everyday
Limited. Used in discussions about family traits: 'Bad eyesight runs in our family by heredity.'
Technical
Core term in genetics, referring to the transmission of alleles and traits.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heredity”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heredity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heredity”
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'a heredity'). Incorrect: 'He has a strong heredity.' Correct: 'He has a strong genetic heritage.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Heredity' is a noun referring to the process of genetic transmission. 'Hereditary' is an adjective describing something passed on through this process (e.g., a hereditary disease).
No, there is no standard verb 'to heredity'. The correct verbal concept is 'to inherit' or 'to be inherited'.
Primarily yes, but it can be used metaphorically in social contexts (e.g., 'the heredity of aristocratic privilege'), though this is less common.
The primary opposite is 'environment' or 'nurture'—referring to all non-genetic influences on development.
The biological process whereby genetic traits are transmitted from parents to offspring.
Heredity is usually formal, academic, scientific in register.
Heredity: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˈrɛd.ɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /həˈrɛd.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A question of heredity versus environment.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HEREDITY: Think 'HER EDICT' – as if a mother's genetic 'edict' or command is passed to her children.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEREDITY IS A BLUEPRINT/CODE/LINE OF DESCENT.
Practice
Quiz
In a sociological context, 'heredity' can metaphorically refer to: