BRCA

noun

ˌbē-(ˌ)är-(ˌ)sē-ˈā How to pronounce BRCA (audio)
ˈbra-kə
: either of two tumor suppressor genes that in mutated form tend to be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and especially breast and ovarian cancers
—often used before another noun
BRCA genes
a BRCA mutation

Examples of BRCA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That will push conversations toward breast MRI and ultrasound as add-ons, particularly for women with family history or BRCA mutations. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 Black women are more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer, and people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry have a higher likelihood of carrying BRCA mutations. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026 After receiving her diagnosis, LaNasa tested negative for the BRCA gene, and learned that the cancer hadn’t progressed to her lymph nodes. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026 While the statistics may sound scary, the roughly 1 in 400 women with a BRCA gene mutation have a lot of preventative health options these days. — Caitlin Carlson, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for BRCA

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of BRCA was in 1992

Rhymes for BRCA

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Browse Nearby Words

brb
BRCA
brd
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Cite this Entry

“BRCA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/BRCA. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

BRCA

noun
ˌbē-(ˌ)är-(ˌ)sē-ˈā How to pronounce BRCA (audio)
: either of two tumor suppressor genes that in mutated form tend to be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and especially breast and ovarian cancers
—often used before another noun
BRCA genes
a BRCA mutation
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