genetic code

noun

: the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and appear to be uniform for nearly all known forms of life

Examples of genetic code in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The genetic code is central to life. —ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026

Valerie To trace Valerie Simpson and Nickolas Ashford’s influence is to map the genetic code of American popular songwriting. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the four bases of the genetic code that make up the rungs of the double helix structure of DNA by forming specific pairs (adenine pairs with thymine, guanine with cytosine). —Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026

At the same time, DNA storage converts the bits into sequences of letters, including A, C, G, and T, the four nucleotide bases that form the genetic code. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for genetic code

• photocathode
• photodiode
• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode

Kids Definition

genetic code

noun

: the chemical code that is the basis of genetic inheritance and consists of units of three linked chemical groups which specify particular kinds of amino acids used to make proteins or which start or stop the process of making proteins

Medical Definition

genetic code

noun

: the biochemical basis of heredity consisting of codons in DNA and RNA that determine the specific amino acid sequence in proteins and that appear to be uniform for all known forms of life

genetic coding noun