nucleotide

noun

nu·​cle·​o·​tide ˈnü-klē-ə-ˌtīd How to pronounce nucleotide (audio)
ˈnyü-
: any of several compounds that consist of a ribose or deoxyribose sugar joined to a purine or pyrimidine base and to a phosphate group and that are the basic structural units of nucleic acids (such as RNA and DNA) compare nucleoside

Examples of nucleotide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That nucleotide flashes light in a characteristic color that identifies which base is being connected. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025 Then, in 1984, a British geneticist named Alec Jeffreys discovered DNA fingerprinting, which allowed scientists to take a sample of hair, skin, or saliva and single out a sequence of nucleotides specific to one person. Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025 This can also include the concentration of nucleotides coming from a living species, which can vary. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 16 Aug. 2025 For example, Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or TDF) is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) associated with nephrotoxicity. Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nucleotide

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, irregular from nucle- + -ide

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nucleotide was in 1908

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Cite this Entry

“Nucleotide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleotide. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

nucleotide

noun
nu·​cle·​o·​tide ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌtīd How to pronounce nucleotide (audio)
: any of the basic units of structure of DNA or RNA that consist of a base (as adenine, cytosine, guanine, or thymine) joined to a sugar (as deoxyribose) with five carbon atoms in a molecule and to a phosphate group

Medical Definition

nucleotide

noun
nu·​cle·​o·​tide ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌtīd How to pronounce nucleotide (audio)
: any of several compounds that consist of a ribose or deoxyribose sugar joined to a purine or pyrimidine base and to a phosphate group and that are the basic structural units of RNA and DNA compare nucleoside

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