: 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

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There’s a lot of evidence that RNA molecules in different ways are a very important part of that story. Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026 The scientists demonstrated that tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) spontaneously formed when mixtures of purified coat protein and its genomic RNA were incubated together. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026 But the field has struggled to figure out a means of delivering RNA-muting molecules into organs and tissues beyond the liver, which has limited their reach. Elaine Chen, STAT, 9 June 2026 The nanoparticle package also provides a guide RNA that directs the base-editing protein to make a specific base change and nick in a specific gene. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for RNA

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of RNA was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“RNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RNA. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

: 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

: 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

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