oligonucleotide

noun

ol·​i·​go·​nu·​cle·​o·​tide ə-ˌli-gə-ˈnü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 

-ˈnyü-

: a short nucleic-acid chain usually consisting of up to approximately 20 nucleotides

Examples of oligonucleotide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Avidity specializes in developing an innovative class of ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics called antibody oligonucleotide conjugates. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025

For years, the most promising treatments were antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), which are delivered by recurring injections into a patient’s cerebrospinal fluid. —Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2025

The drug, which is called RES-010, works by employing an antisense oligonucleotide, a synthetic bit of genetic material that blocks the action of an RNA molecule known as miR-22. —New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025

In April 2024, Parekh got a personalized drug called an antisense oligonucleotide, or ASO. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oligonucleotide

• hydrochlorothiazide
• lipopolysaccharide
• mucopolysaccharide
• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide

Medical Definition

oligonucleotide

noun

oli·​go·​nu·​cle·​o·​tide -ˈn(y)ü-klē-ə-ˌtīd 

: a relatively short single-stranded nucleic-acid chain (as an oligodeoxynucleotide or oligoribonucleotide) usually consisting of up to approximately 20 nucleotides