# epigenetics

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɛpɪd͡ʒəˈnɛtɪks/ · frequency rank #59,371

## Definitions
1. The study of the processes involved in the genetic development of an organism, especially the activation and deactivation of genes.
2. The study of heritable changes caused by the activation and deactivation of genes without any change in DNA sequence.

## Etymology
Blend of epigenesis + genetics; coined by C. H. Waddington in 1942.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/epigenetics