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 property also reflects Ojai’s artistic DNA.
—
Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Somehow, the queen can delete her own nuclear DNA and produce offspring that rely almost entirely on the sperm’s DNA.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
For a year and a half, the detectives first approached a large volume of low-match DNA results which could be traced back to existing American family trees.
—Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
However, Miranda Cosgrove did disclose her full ethnicity in a recent interview, thanks to DNA testing.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 12 Sep. 2025
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Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Somehow, the queen can delete her own nuclear DNA and produce offspring that rely almost entirely on the sperm’s DNA.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
For a year and a half, the detectives first approached a large volume of low-match DNA results which could be traced back to existing American family trees.
—Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
However, Miranda Cosgrove did disclose her full ethnicity in a recent interview, thanks to DNA testing.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 12 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 18 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
see recombinant dnaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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