polymerase chain reaction

noun

: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process

—abbreviation PCR

Examples of polymerase chain reaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many of the monitoring sites rely on rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which can pick up very tiny amounts of viral DNA. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 10 June 2026

The Andes strain of hantavirus can typically be tested by a lab test known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), that detects the genetic material of the virus. — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2026

Another is polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, which looks for fragments of the virus’ genetic material, typically in a blood sample. — Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 7 May 2026

The infection can be identified through laboratory testing, including PCR (polymerase chain reaction), blood tests, or cultures that allow live organisms to grow for analysis. — Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polymerase chain reaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

Medical Definition

polymerase chain reaction

noun

: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, binding a primer to each single strand at the end of the given DNA segment where synthesis will start, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process

—abbreviation PCR