Illustration of DNA
- A molecular model
- 1 hydrogen
- 2 oxygen
- 3 carbon in the helical phosphate ester chains
- 4 carbon and nitrogen in the cross-linked purine and pyrimidine bases
- 5 phosphorus
- B double helix
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases (see base entry 1 sense 6b) which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei compare recombinant dna
Examples of DNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brown Some colors are embedded in the DNA of each season.
—
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
Although police recovered an ample sample from the snap on the sheath, Kohberger's DNA wasn't in the government's Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS, because he hadn't been implicated in any prior crimes.
—Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
According to the district attorney, an investigative genealogist with the Columbus Police Department traced the man’s DNA and identified McNulty as a potential suspect.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Also in 2024, at the DNA testing startup 23andMe, all seven independent directors resigned simultaneously, citing major disagreements with CEO Anne Wojcicki and her plans to take the company private.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
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Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
Although police recovered an ample sample from the snap on the sheath, Kohberger's DNA wasn't in the government's Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS, because he hadn't been implicated in any prior crimes.
—Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
According to the district attorney, an investigative genealogist with the Columbus Police Department traced the man’s DNA and identified McNulty as a potential suspect.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Also in 2024, at the DNA testing startup 23andMe, all seven independent directors resigned simultaneously, citing major disagreements with CEO Anne Wojcicki and her plans to take the company private.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are located especially in cell nuclei, are usually the chemical basis of heredity, and are composed of two nucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds in a pattern resembling a flexible twisted ladder compare rna
Medical Definition
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei
called also deoxyribonucleic acid
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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