the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms
"The doctor explained that their rare condition was due to a specific mutation found within genetics, which runs strongly in her family."
The branch of biology that deals with the transmission and variation of inherited characteristics, in particular chromosomes and DNA.
"The new research team is focusing their entire project on genetics to understand how specific DNA sequences are passed down through generations."
In plain English: Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to their children through genes.
"Genetics plays a big role in determining which eye color you inherit from your parents."
Usage: Use genetics to refer to the scientific study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring through DNA. Do not use it as a verb or to describe specific genes individually, but rather the broader field of biological inheritance.
The word genetics comes from the Ancient Greek génesis, meaning "origin." English biologist William Bateson coined the term in 1905 and first used it publicly two years later at a lecture to introduce his new field of study.