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

Undeterred, the team simplified things and fed AlphaFold only the DNA, RNA, and Cas9 protein, since the latter is the primary factor determining its sequence specificity. — ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Lentils are especially high in folate, a B vitamin that’s needed for vital processes such as the formation of red blood cells, DNA and RNA synthesis, and cellular division. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 24 July 2026

Most investors cannot independently evaluate immunology, gene editing, RNA therapeutics, complement biology, oncology biomarkers, or statistical powering assumptions in clinical trials. — Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Sugars play a pivotal role in living systems, helping to provide energy, build biological structures and form parts of genetic material such as RNA and DNA. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing RNA

• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccine
• 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