cytosine

noun

cy·​to·​sine ˈsī-tə-ˌsēn How to pronounce cytosine (audio)
: a pyrimidine base C4H5N3O that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA compare adenine, guanine, thymine, uracil

Examples of cytosine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The key shows the universal elements (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen), the four bases of the DNA molecule (adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine) with their molecular structure, where they’re placed in the DNA double helix, and how genes are arranged on a chromosome. New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024 Agilent developed a way to print strands of DNA from the four nucleic acid bases—cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A), and thymine (T). Phillip W. Barth, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Mar. 2024 This storage system works by converting digital information to the elements that make up DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). Emma Roth, The Verge, 4 Dec. 2023 The molecule is made up of the chemical bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine—shortened to A, C, G, and T—which pair off to form a double helix. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for cytosine 

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary cyt- + -ose + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cytosine was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near cytosine

Cite this Entry

“Cytosine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytosine. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cytosine

noun
cy·​to·​sine ˈsīt-ə-ˌsēn How to pronounce cytosine (audio)
: a chemical base that is a pyrimidine and codes genetic information in DNA and RNA compare adenine, guanine, thymine, uracil

Medical Definition

cytosine

noun
cy·​to·​sine ˈsīt-ə-ˌsēn How to pronounce cytosine (audio)
: a pyrimidine base C4H5N3O that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA compare adenine, guanine, thymine, uracil

More from Merriam-Webster on cytosine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!