nucleic acid

noun

nu·​cle·​ic acid nu̇-ˈklē-ik-  -ˈklā- 

nyu̇-

: any of various complex organic acids (such as DNA or RNA) that are composed of nucleotide chains

Examples of nucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What gives nucleic acids the identity needed to carry genetic information are the bases. — ArsTechnica, 21 Mar. 2026

But Watson went to Europe to study the biochemistry of nucleic acids like DNA. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025

The ladder is made up of four individual nucleic acids, like the letters that make up words in a book, strung together in long chains that spell out the instructions for proteins. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

Almost as soon as a fish dies, nucleic acids and other molecules in its flesh begin breaking down, triggering the formation of a compound known as hypoxanthine (HX). — New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from their occurrence in cell nuclei

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nucleic acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

nucleic acid

noun

nu·​cle·​ic acid n(y)u̇-ˌklā-ik-  -ˌklē- 

: any of various acids (as DNA or RNA) composed of a chain of nucleotides and found especially in cell nuclei

Medical Definition

nucleic acid

noun

nu·​cle·​ic acid n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-  -ˌklā- 

: any of various acids (as an RNA or a DNA) composed of nucleotide chains