plasmid

noun

plas·​mid ˈplaz-məd 

: an extrachromosomal ring of DNA especially of bacteria that replicates autonomously

Examples of plasmid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In RenBio’s case, the researchers spelled out the instructions to make a GLP-1 receptor agonist protein — essentially the same active ingredient in medicines like Ozempic and Mounjaro — and looped it into a small circle called a plasmid. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

Through the not-for-profit plasmid repository Addgene, PROTEUS will be available to any lab worldwide with the appropriate infrastructure, virology training, and skills in molecular biology. — IEEE Spectrum, 27 July 2025

The strain also carried a separate genetic element (a plasmid) that provided resistance mechanisms against streptomycin and spectinomycin, cephalosporins, macrolides, and sulphonamides. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025

Once purified, the plasmids and enzymes are piped into other tanks, where a biochemical reaction produces the dsRNA. — Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 27 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

plasma + -id entry 2

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for plasmid

• amid
• eyelid
• forbid
• majid
• masjid
• outbid
• outdid
• turbid
• undid
• bid
• did
• grid

Medical Definition

plasmid

noun

plas·​mid ˈplaz-məd 

: an extrachromosomal ring of DNA that replicates autonomously and is found especially in bacteria compare episome