Illustration of DNA
- A molecular model
- 1 hydrogen
- 2 oxygen
- 3 carbon in the helical phosphate ester chains
- 4 carbon and nitrogen in the cross-linked purine and pyrimidine bases
- 5 phosphorus
- B double helix
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases (see base entry 1 sense 6b) which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei compare recombinant dna
Examples of DNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From its start, the club has sought to embrace the disruptive mindset prevalent in the DNA of San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
—
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Another example is cutting-edge uses of environmental DNA, where scientists test water samples for traces of invasive organisms.
—Pam Marrone, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Travis Decker, a 32-year-old man from Pewaukee accused of killing his three daughters in Washington in June, has been confirmed dead by DNA testing, authorities say.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Bringing in the ocean with full-length windows is central to the Sportiva’s DNA.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
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Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Another example is cutting-edge uses of environmental DNA, where scientists test water samples for traces of invasive organisms.
—Pam Marrone, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Travis Decker, a 32-year-old man from Pewaukee accused of killing his three daughters in Washington in June, has been confirmed dead by DNA testing, authorities say.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Bringing in the ocean with full-length windows is central to the Sportiva’s DNA.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are located especially in cell nuclei, are usually the chemical basis of heredity, and are composed of two nucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds in a pattern resembling a flexible twisted ladder compare rna
Medical Definition
DNA
noun
: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei
called also deoxyribonucleic acid
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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