1
: any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus (see locus sense 3)
2
: either of a pair of alternative Mendelian characters (see character entry 1 sense 1b(3)) (such as smooth and wrinkled seed in the pea)
Examples of allele in a Sentence
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In the lab, scientists then genetically edit the PGC genome to introduce greater genetic diversity—though at the moment Colossal is still studying the pink pigeon alleles and doesn’t yet know what traits that more-diverse coding will produce.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Each parent passes down one allele (a version of a gene).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Four ‘risk alleles’ were identified; astronauts with at least three of them saw the thickness of their retinas change more than did those with only one or two alleles.
—Neil Savage, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
One of the alleles at each locus is dominant and determines the traits, like coat color, portrayed in the dog.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Each parent passes down one allele (a version of a gene).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Four ‘risk alleles’ were identified; astronauts with at least three of them saw the thickness of their retinas change more than did those with only one or two alleles.
—Neil Savage, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2025
One of the alleles at each locus is dominant and determines the traits, like coat color, portrayed in the dog.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allele
Cite this Entry
“Allele.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allele. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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Medical Definition
allele
noun
al·lele
ə-ˈlē(ə)l 
1
: any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus
2
: either of a pair of alternative Mendelian characters (as ability versus inability to taste the chemical phenylthiocarbamide)
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