RNase

noun

RN·ase ˌär-ˌen-ˈās

-ˈāz,

ˌär-ˈen-ˌās

-ˌāz

variants or less commonly RNAase

ˌär-(ˌ)en-ˈā-ˌās

-ˈā-ˌāz

: an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of RNA

called also ribonuclease

Word History

Etymology

RNA + -ase

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of RNase was in 1948

See more words from the same year

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Style

“RNase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RNase. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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Medical Definition

RNase

noun

RN·ase

variants or RNAase

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā-ˌās, -ˈā-ˌāz

: ribonuclease

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Definition revised

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RNase

noun

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