polymerase

noun

po·​ly·​mer·​ase pə-ˈli-mə-rās  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

Interestingly, the Zurich virus also showed unusual genetic diversity in its polymerase (PB2) segment, suggesting either strong natural selection or mixing between viral strains. —New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025

The best example of this is an enzyme called DNA polymerase, which is used to artificially replicate DNA in the lab by the polymerase chain reaction. —James F. Holden, The Conversation, 21 July 2025

Everything from genome sequencing to clinical diagnoses, crime solving, genealogy tests and genetic engineering uses DNA polymerase. —James F. Holden, The Conversation, 21 July 2025

The polymerase therefore copies an incomplete genome more quickly than a complete one. —Quanta Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polymerase

• DNA polymerase
• polymerase chain reaction
• RNA polymerase

Rhymes for polymerase

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace

Medical Definition

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