Cis-regulatory element (CRE) is a specific genetic sequence that lies within the DNA near the target gene and regulates its expression. CREs play a crucial role in gene transcription and translation, and their importance in many biological processes is well known. An alternative term for CRE is cis-acting regulatory element or simply cis-element. Another synonymous word is enhancer, which is a type of CRE that activates or enhances gene expression. Promoter is also a commonly used term that refers to a specific type of cis-element that initiates transcription of the target gene. Other synonyms for CRE include response element, operator, and silencer. These terms may be used interchangeably depending on the specific context.