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
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Additionally, the study found a higher prevalence of the APOE4 allele (30.8%) in participants, compared to the typical 20–25% seen in the general population, Chin said.
—Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for allele
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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
Additionally, the study found a higher prevalence of the APOE4 allele (30.8%) in participants, compared to the typical 20–25% seen in the general population, Chin said.
—Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 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 22 Mar. 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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