nucleotide
noun
nu·cle·o·tide
ˈnü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 
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
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The technology scans the entire genome for single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs—the spots where one person’s genome might have a T, while another’s has a C—for associations with human behaviors.
—
Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for nucleotide
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Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for nucleotide
Cite this Entry
“Nucleotide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleotide. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nucleotide
noun
nu·cle·o·tide
ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌtīd
: 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
: 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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