polymerase
noun
po·ly·mer·ase
pə-ˈli-mə-rās 
ˈpä-lə-mə-ˌrās
ˈpä-lə-mə-ˌrās
-ˌrāz
: any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a template compare dna polymerase, rna polymerase
Examples of polymerase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The polymerase therefore copies an incomplete genome more quickly than a complete one.
—
Quanta Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
While polymerase chase reaction, or PCR, COVID tests are more accurate that rapid antigen tests, they must be administered by a skilled laboratory technician, require special equipment and take up to an hour or more to process.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024
But the biggest surprise was that the viruses had a polymerase enzyme dedicated to pairing Z bases with T’s during DNA replication.
—Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2021
Approximately 4 million people with active hepatitis C were identified and treated with the antiviral medication Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), a nucleotide analogue that inhibits the polymerase enzyme of hepatitis C and blocks its replication, effectively eliminating hepatitis C from Egypt.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022
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Quanta Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
While polymerase chase reaction, or PCR, COVID tests are more accurate that rapid antigen tests, they must be administered by a skilled laboratory technician, require special equipment and take up to an hour or more to process.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024
But the biggest surprise was that the viruses had a polymerase enzyme dedicated to pairing Z bases with T’s during DNA replication.
—Quanta Magazine, 12 July 2021
Approximately 4 million people with active hepatitis C were identified and treated with the antiviral medication Sovaldi (sofosbuvir), a nucleotide analogue that inhibits the polymerase enzyme of hepatitis C and blocks its replication, effectively eliminating hepatitis C from Egypt.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for polymerase
Cite this Entry
“Polymerase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymerase. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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polymerase
noun
po·ly·mer·ase
pə-ˈlim-ər-ās; ˈpä-lə-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz
: any of several enzymes that catalyze the formation of DNA or RNA from precursor substances in the presence of preexisting DNA or RNA acting as a template
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