mutagen

[ myoo-tuh-juh n, -jen ]
/ ˈmyu tə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR mutagen ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a substance or preparation capable of inducing mutation.

Origin of mutagen

First recorded in 1945–50; muta(tion) + -gen

Words nearby mutagen

mut dash, mut., mutable, mutable sign, mutacism, mutagen, mutagenesis, mutagenic, mutagenize, mutant, mutant gene

Words related to mutagen

toxin, poison, killer

British Dictionary definitions for mutagen

mutagen
/ (ˈmjuːtədʒən) /

noun

a substance or agent that can induce genetic mutation

Derived forms of mutagen

mutagenic (ˌmjuːtəˈdʒɛnɪk), adjective mutagenicity, noun

Word Origin for mutagen

C20: from mutation + -gen

Medical definitions for mutagen

mutagen
[ myōō′tə-jən, -jĕn′ ]

n.

An agent, such as ultraviolet light or a radioactive element, that can induce or increase the frequency of mutation in an organism.

Other words from mutagen

mu′ta•gen′ic adj. mu′ta•gen′i•cal•ly adv. mu′ta•ge•nic′i•ty (-jə-nĭs′ĭ-tē) n.

Cultural definitions for mutagen

mutagen
[ (myooh-tuh-juhn, myooh-tuh-jen) ]

Something that causes mutations in living things. Mutagens include chemicals, such as drugs or toxins, and radiation.