oligonucleotide

noun

ol·​i·​go·​nu·​cle·​o·​tide ə-ˌli-gə-ˈnü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 

-ˈnyü-

: a short nucleic-acid chain usually consisting of up to approximately 20 nucleotides

Examples of oligonucleotide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Diranersen is what’s called an antisense oligonucleotide that doesn't attack tau buildup but instead instructs a tau-producing gene to produce less. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Diranersen is what’s called an antisense oligonucleotide that doesn’t attack tau buildup but instead instructs a tau-producing gene to produce less. — Lauran Neergaard, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Biogen is slated to present data from the phase-two trial of its investigational antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy for Alzheimer's disease on July 14. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 13 July 2026

In 2018, Mila received the world’s first individualized antisense oligonucleotide, developed in under a year. — Judy Stecker, STAT, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oligonucleotide

• aminoglycoside
• chlordiazepoxide
• dimethylformamide
• oligosaccharide
• paraformaldehyde
• polynucleotide
• ribonucleotide
• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride

Medical Definition

oligonucleotide

noun

oli·​go·​nu·​cle·​o·​tide -ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 

: a relatively short single-stranded nucleic-acid chain (as an oligodeoxynucleotide or oligoribonucleotide) usually consisting of up to approximately 20 nucleotides