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
Former Inglewood teacher linked by DNA to cold-case killing is convicted of murder, kidnapping.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024
Shooter at Donald Trump Rally Identified as 20-Year-Old Pennsylvania Man
Crooks was not carrying identification, so he was identified with DNA, the FBI said, according to CBS.
—Greg Hanlon, Peoplemag, 14 July 2024
Many teams have studied the Neanderthal DNA that modern humans gained from those relatively recent trysts.
—science.org, 13 July 2024
Tenacity ran through Saweetie’s DNA even from her earliest years.
—Kara Nesvig, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA 
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2024
Shooter at Donald Trump Rally Identified as 20-Year-Old Pennsylvania Man
Crooks was not carrying identification, so he was identified with DNA, the FBI said, according to CBS.
—Greg Hanlon, Peoplemag, 14 July 2024
Many teams have studied the Neanderthal DNA that modern humans gained from those relatively recent trysts.
—science.org, 13 July 2024
Tenacity ran through Saweetie’s DNA even from her earliest years.
—Kara Nesvig, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'DNA.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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