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
Clark spent more than 22 years in prison before new DNA testing undermined key evidence used to convict him.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented DNA evidence matching blood found on the rim of Alnaji’s megaphone to Kessler.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The 2026 study, led by Curtin University in Australia, used environmental DNA to detect which species lived in deep water habitats in canyons off Western Australia’s Ningaloo coast.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 7 May 2026
All the identifications were made by comparing the DNA extracted from the remains to that of living relatives.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for DNA
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Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors presented DNA evidence matching blood found on the rim of Alnaji’s megaphone to Kessler.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
The 2026 study, led by Curtin University in Australia, used environmental DNA to detect which species lived in deep water habitats in canyons off Western Australia’s Ningaloo coast.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 7 May 2026
All the identifications were made by comparing the DNA extracted from the remains to that of living relatives.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 7 May 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 May. 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
