polymerase chain reaction

noun

Definition of polymerase chain reaction

: 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 Sniffer dogs work faster and far more cheaply than polymerase chain reaction, or P.C.R., testing, their proponents say. — New York Times, 31 May 2021 Unlike the antigen tests, the quad test looks for a virus's genetic material using a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR for short. — Roxanne Khamsi, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021 Scientists use a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test to screen samples of the Covid-19 virus for common genetic mutations that are found in variants of concern. — Kim Mackrael, WSJ, 10 May 2021 The single-swab polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test developed at Northwestern’s Center for Innovation in Global Health Technologies can return results in 15 minutes, according to a news release from Northwestern. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, 27 Apr. 2021 Bahraini citizens and residency visa holders are not covered by the suspension but will have to provide the results of a polymerase chain reaction test before boarding a plane and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, BNA added. — Washington Post, 23 May 2021 During football season, the program provided antigen testing six days a week and a weekly polymerase chain reaction test — a method that rapidly creates millions of copies of a specific DNA sample. — Shane Hoffmann For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 2 May 2021 The Pixel by Labcorp Home test is a polymerase chain reaction test, which is used by physicians across the U.S. Results are typically available within one to two days and can be accessed on the company’s website. — BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2021 The Tigers made the announcement Tuesday afternoon after the positive result occurred from a polymerase chain reaction test administered Monday morning. — Edward Lee, baltimoresun.com, 29 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polymerase chain reaction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about polymerase chain reaction

Dictionary Entries near polymerase chain reaction

polymer

Polymera

polymerase

polymerase chain reaction

polymeria

polymeride

polymerisation

Statistics for polymerase chain reaction

Last Updated

14 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Polymerase chain reaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymerase%20chain%20reaction. Accessed 16 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for polymerase chain reaction

polymerase chain reaction

noun

Medical Definition of polymerase chain reaction

: 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