Definition of genome-wide association study

genome-wide association study (JEE-nome ... uh-SOH-see-AY-shun STUH-dee): A method used to identify inherited genetic variants associated with risk for a particular disease or trait. A genome-wide association study looks at the entire genome for genetic variants, usually single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), that tend to occur more often in individuals with the disease or trait being studied than in those without the disease or trait. Also called GWAS.