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
The circadian system refers to the body’s suite of clocks—every cell with DNA has a clock, and each of these clocks feeds back into one another.
—
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2026
The ultimate fail here was the DNA of the movie and its inability to be an event for anybody.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
The regime, the DNA of this regime is Jihad.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Des Moines’ most iconic restaurants aren’t defined by trends or glossy modernity — they’re built on decades of family tradition, neighborhood loyalty and recipes that have become part of the metro’s cultural DNA.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
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Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2026
The ultimate fail here was the DNA of the movie and its inability to be an event for anybody.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
The regime, the DNA of this regime is Jihad.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Des Moines’ most iconic restaurants aren’t defined by trends or glossy modernity — they’re built on decades of family tradition, neighborhood loyalty and recipes that have become part of the metro’s cultural DNA.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Mar. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.
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
see recombinant dnaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
