epigenetic
adjective
epi·ge·net·ic ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-tik 
1
a
: of, relating to, or produced by the chain of developmental processes in epigenesis that lead from genotype to phenotype after the initial action of the genes
b
: relating to, being, or involving changes in gene function that do not involve changes in DNA sequence
epigenetic inheritance
2
of a deposit or structure : formed after the laying down of the enclosing rock
epigenetically
ˌe-pə-jə-ˈne-ti-k(-ə)lē
adverb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web For example, something like epigenetic regulation (chemical changes to DNA) can easily modulate genes to be expressed at varying levels, rather than simply on or off. 
Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Researchers on aging say that an epigenetic clock runs differently for each. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2022 There are changes that occur — epigenetic, that means on top of our genes — that ultimately change the way that our cells express themselves. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2022 He was followed by Riccardo Marioni of University of Edinburgh and Ake Lu of San Diego Institute of Science, who discussed about epigenetic clocks and universal DNA methylating age, respectively. Alex Zhavoronkov, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The response was accompanied by epigenetic changes in its brain and sperm. Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 The finding confirmed that healing is also reflected in epigenetic change. Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 Netea thought that infections might be altering innate-immune cells through a process called epigenetic reprogramming. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2022 These are just things that slow down epigenetic damage and these other horrible hallmarks of aging. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 2 June 2022 See More
Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Researchers on aging say that an epigenetic clock runs differently for each. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2022 There are changes that occur — epigenetic, that means on top of our genes — that ultimately change the way that our cells express themselves. Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2022 He was followed by Riccardo Marioni of University of Edinburgh and Ake Lu of San Diego Institute of Science, who discussed about epigenetic clocks and universal DNA methylating age, respectively. Alex Zhavoronkov, Forbes, 29 June 2022 The response was accompanied by epigenetic changes in its brain and sperm. Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 The finding confirmed that healing is also reflected in epigenetic change. Rachel Yehuda, Scientific American, 18 June 2022 Netea thought that infections might be altering innate-immune cells through a process called epigenetic reprogramming. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2022 These are just things that slow down epigenetic damage and these other horrible hallmarks of aging. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 2 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
epi- + genetic, after epigenesis
First Known Use
1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Medical Definition
epigenetic
adjective
epi·ge·net·ic -jə-ˈnet-ik
1
: of, relating to, or produced by epigenesis
the epigenetic nature of vertebrate development
2
: relating to, being, or involving a modification in gene expression that is independent of the DNA sequence of a gene
epigenetic carcinogenesis
epigenetic inheritance
Methylation is one of many epigenetic signals—chemical changes to DNA and its associated proteins—that modify gene activity without altering the genetic information itself. Tina Hesman Saey, Science News
Tina Hesman Saey, Science News