What does heritability mean?
Heritability is the degree to which a property can be passed from one generation to another. In genetics, it has a more precise statistical meaning: the extent to which differences in a trait within a specified population are attributable to genetic variation. It is commonly used in studies of height, behaviour, health, and agricultural performance. A heritability estimate does not mean that a fixed percentage of an individual's trait is genetic, nor does it imply that the trait cannot be altered by environment, treatment, or social conditions. Because it describes variation among people under particular conditions, heritability may differ between populations and environments. Outside science, the word can more generally denote the transferable quality of an inheritance, such as a custom, right, or tradition. The term is therefore useful for describing biological or statistical transmission while avoiding the mistaken idea of personal genetic destiny.
nounThe extent to which a trait can be inherited, especially the degree to which differences in a trait among members of a population are attributable to genetic differences.
- In genetics, the extent to which differences in a trait within a specified population are attributable to genetic variation.
- More generally, the quality of being capable of being inherited or transmitted.
"The study reported a high heritability for the trait in the sampled population."
"Geneticists estimated the heritability of the trait in the sampled population."
"The researchers compared heritability estimates for height and body mass index."
The plural is uncommon in general prose but can be useful when comparing estimates for several traits or populations.
"The researchers compared heritabilities for height and body mass index."
A high heritability is not a life sentence: it describes variation in a population, not a fixed genetic share of an individual.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of heritability
English heritability was formed in the 19th century from heritable and the suffix -ity. Its vocabulary ancestry runs through Old French heritage to Latin haereditas and haereditare, related to the words inherit and inheritance. English forms sharing this root include heritable, heritage, inherit, and inheritor.
How heritability is actually used
The word is primarily formal and technical, especially common in genetics, biology, psychology, and statistics. A heritability estimate applies to variation within a particular population and environment; it does not describe a fixed percentage of an individual and does not imply that environmental influences are unimportant.
Easily confused with heritability
Inheritance is the property or process of passing something to successors, whereas heritability is the measurable extent to which a trait is transmitted genetically.