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 only thing that would change would be the guide RNA, Doudna says, which carries the genetic instructions for finding the specific mutation that needs to be addressed. —Alice Park, Time, 8 July 2025

Next, the team sequenced RNA from mitochondria in the brain tissue from 19 people between the ages of 13 and 78. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 3 July 2025

From more than 100,000 cells, the researchers sequenced RNA—bits of genetic information used to carry out actions within each cell. —Nora Bradford, Scientific American, 3 July 2025

Exits - AbbVie agreed to acquire Capstan Therapeutics, a San Diego-based in vivo RNA technology biotech, for $2.1 billion in cash. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 1 July 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