RNA

noun

ˌär-(ˌ)en-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna

Examples of RNA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The breakdown of complex molecules typically involves more than one enzyme, and the genes for these enzymes tend to end up clustered together, so that they can be produced as a single, large RNA that encodes all the proteins needed. —ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025

The Catalan numbers also play a role in biology, helping count the possible folding patterns of RNA molecules. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

These also appear in the natural world in areas like biology, where they are employed to analyze possible folding patterns of RNA molecules. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 May 2025

These included the amino acid glycine and uracil, a nucleotide base in RNA. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing RNA

• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccines
• micro-RNA
• ribosomal RNA
• RNA interference
• RNA polymerase
• RNA virus
• transfer RNA

Kids Definition

RNA

noun

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that are typically found in the cytoplasm of cells, are usually composed of a single chain of nucleotides, differ from DNA in containing ribose as the five-carbon sugar instead of deoxyribose, and that function mostly in protein synthesis

called also ribonucleic acid

compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna

Medical Definition

RNA

noun

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities

called also ribonucleic acid

see messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna