polymerase chain reaction

noun

: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process
abbreviation PCR

Examples of polymerase chain reaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Viral tests, such as antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), diagnose active COVID infections. Allison Duncan, Health, 31 Oct. 2023 The techniques are then used to run an experiment using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify DNA from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, that can then be further examined using gel electrophoresis. Kendra MacK, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Aug. 2023 However, getting a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test requires a lab visit that can be time-consuming and take days to get your results back. Nsisong Asanga, Health, 12 May 2023 There are two types of COVID-19 tests: Rapid antigen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).2 Sometimes, those tests produce different results. Lela Moore, Health, 11 Aug. 2023 In this process, the DNA is chemically extracted from the sample, and a polymerase chain reaction is used to amplify the DNA segments. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 22 Mar. 2023 But groups from Sweden and France, who used the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect viral genetic sequences, showed that in those countries, spikes of rhinovirus infections in late summer delayed the peaks of influenza until late fall, the normal start of flu season. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 18 Nov. 2022 Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the gold standard for diagnosis. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 June 2022 Passengers departing on Cathay Pacific flights to Hong Kong will be able to obtain polymerase chain reaction tests for the coronavirus at San Francisco International Airport’s onsite facility, the airport announced. Chronicle Staff, SFChronicle.com, 4 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polymerase chain reaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polymerase chain reaction was in 1985

Dictionary Entries Near polymerase chain reaction

polymerase

polymerase chain reaction

polymeria

Cite this Entry

“Polymerase chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymerase%20chain%20reaction. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

polymerase chain reaction

noun
: an in vitro technique for rapidly synthesizing large quantities of a given DNA segment that involves separating the DNA into its two complementary strands, binding a primer to each single strand at the end of the given DNA segment where synthesis will start, using DNA polymerase to synthesize two-stranded DNA from each single strand, and repeating the process
abbreviation PCR

More from Merriam-Webster on polymerase chain reaction

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!