deoxyribonucleic acid

noun

de·​oxy·​ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid (ˌ)dē-ˈäk-si-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- How to pronounce deoxyribonucleic acid (audio)
-ˌklā-
: dna

Examples of deoxyribonucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Human genomes, the massive set of genetic material every person carries, are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2023 This artist rendering is based on an image of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) taken with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2018 First, a little refresher on DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. Kimberly Hickok, Popular Mechanics, 24 May 2022 Together your genes make up your deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, which serves as kind of an instruction manual for all the cells in your body. Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 13 Apr. 2022 It’s one of three kinds of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that all work together to translate pure genetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) information into proteins in your body. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 30 Nov. 2020 But in new research, scientists suggest RNA’s origins and role in the formation of life could have been very different than previously believed—and sharing the spotlight with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 29 Dec. 2020 Typically, researchers make RNA (ribonucleic acid) from DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 July 2020 This molecule is called DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid. Scientific American, 9 Aug. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deoxyribonucleic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

deoxyribose + nucleic acid

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deoxyribonucleic acid was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near deoxyribonucleic acid

Cite this Entry

“Deoxyribonucleic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deoxyribonucleic%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deoxyribonucleic acid

noun
de·​oxy·​ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid (ˌ)dē-ˌäk-sē-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- How to pronounce deoxyribonucleic acid (audio)
-ˌklā-
: dna

Medical Definition

deoxyribonucleic acid

noun
de·​oxy·​ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid (ˈ)dē-ˈäk-si-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-, -ˌklā- How to pronounce deoxyribonucleic acid (audio)
variants also desoxyribonucleic acid
: dna

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