multifactorial
adjective
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al
ˌməl-tē-fak-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 
-ˌtī-
1
: caused or marked by a polygenic mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
The essence of multifactorial (polygenic) inheritance is that a single component of the phenotype (a single character) can be controlled by several independent gene loci.—
Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr
also
: caused by or dependent on the interaction of multiple genes combined with one or more environmental factors
Breast cancer is what scientists call "multifactorial" in that a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. —Francesca Lyman
Francesca Lyman 2
or multifactor
ˌməl-tē-ˈfak-tər
: having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
-ˌtī-
a multifactorial approach
multifactor authentication
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.—Matt McCarthy
Matt McCarthyExamples of multifactorial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Obstructive sleep apnea is a multifactorial problem, so there are multiple things that need to be addressed.
—Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 20 May 2024
While the reasons for this are multifactorial and still not fully understood, what has become painfully clear is that women need to be proactive in taking control of their own breast health, insisting upon early detection measures that could have a profound impact on their health trajectory.
—Clare Dougherty, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2024
This increase in child asthma acuity and deaths is likely multifactorial, but access to basic medications is one modifiable driver.
—Chén Kenyon, STAT, 16 May 2024
Businesses must implement comprehensive wellness programs that address these multifactorial root causes.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
In other words, reputations are as nuanced, complex, multifactorial, deep and fragile as human beings are.
—Davia Temin, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The exact cause is complex and multifactorial, involving genetic mutations (only about 20 percent), lifestyle factors (such as diet and physical activity, poor sleep), environmental exposures, and chronic inflammation.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Similarly, in policing, Harvard economist Roland Fryer’s multifactorial analysis, which included controls for the behavior of suspects and racial groups’ rate of contact with police, concluded that white suspects are actually 27 percent more likely than black suspects to be shot by cops . . .
—Wilfred Reilly, National Review, 3 Jan. 2024
Lupus is often referred to as a multifactorial disease, meaning it’s driven by more than one underlying issue.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 27 Dec. 2023
Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 20 May 2024
While the reasons for this are multifactorial and still not fully understood, what has become painfully clear is that women need to be proactive in taking control of their own breast health, insisting upon early detection measures that could have a profound impact on their health trajectory.
—Clare Dougherty, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2024
This increase in child asthma acuity and deaths is likely multifactorial, but access to basic medications is one modifiable driver.
—Chén Kenyon, STAT, 16 May 2024
Businesses must implement comprehensive wellness programs that address these multifactorial root causes.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
In other words, reputations are as nuanced, complex, multifactorial, deep and fragile as human beings are.
—Davia Temin, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
The exact cause is complex and multifactorial, involving genetic mutations (only about 20 percent), lifestyle factors (such as diet and physical activity, poor sleep), environmental exposures, and chronic inflammation.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024
Similarly, in policing, Harvard economist Roland Fryer’s multifactorial analysis, which included controls for the behavior of suspects and racial groups’ rate of contact with police, concluded that white suspects are actually 27 percent more likely than black suspects to be shot by cops . . .
—Wilfred Reilly, National Review, 3 Jan. 2024
Lupus is often referred to as a multifactorial disease, meaning it’s driven by more than one underlying issue.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 27 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'multifactorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near multifactorial
Cite this Entry
“Multifactorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multifactorial. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
multifactorial
adjective
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al
-fak-ˈtōr-ē-əl, -ˈtȯr-
1
: caused or marked by a polygenic mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
The essence of multifactorial (polygenic) inheritance is that a single component of the phenotype (a single character) can be controlled by several independent gene loci.—Ernst Mayr
Ernst Mayr
also
: caused by or dependent on the interaction of multiple genes combined with one or more environmental factors
Breast cancer is what scientists call "multifactorial" in that a variety of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are thought to play a role. —Francesca Lyman
Francesca Lyman 2
or multifactor
: having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes
a multifactorial study
a disease with a multifactorial etiology
Ligament damage, particularly in a throwing arm, is a complex, multifactorial process.—Matt McCarthy
Matt McCarthyLove words? Need even more definitions?
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