polymerase chain reaction

noun

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

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

Recent Examples of polymerase chain reaction from the Web

The team had been forced to destroy the weevil, because part of its body was needed for the DNA-generating process, called polymerase chain reaction amplification or PCR.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Jurassic Park’s Unlikely Symbiosis With Real-World Science," 15 June 2018
When a sample is placed in the SigNify, the device uses a polymerase chain reaction to reproduce the tags for easy identification.

— matt allyn, Popular Mechanics, "How the Feds Will Use DNA To Track Legal Weed," 15 May 2018
In the lab, the DNA is separated and millions of copies are made using a method called polymerase chain reaction or PCR.

— stephen leahy, National Geographic, "Alleged Golden State Killer Busted by DNA. But Are Tests '100%' Accurate?," 25 Apr. 2018
Influenza B tragically killed Dylan Winnik based on the preliminary finding by State Health Laboratory using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

— caitlin keating, PEOPLE.com, "Florida Family Devastated After 12-Year-Old Boy Dies From the Flu 2 Days After Becoming Ill," 5 Feb. 2018
Influenza B tragically killed Dylan Winnik based on the preliminary finding by State Health Laboratory using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

— caitlin keating, PEOPLE.com, "Florida Family Devastated After 12-Year-Old Boy Dies From the Flu 2 Days After Becoming Ill," 5 Feb. 2018
There is no rapid test; accurately diagnosing the disease requires a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique, but only three labs in Nigeria have that capability.

— leslie roberts, Science | AAAS, "Health workers scramble to contain deadly rat-borne fever in Nigeria," 12 Mar. 2018
Influenza B tragically killed Dylan Winnik based on the preliminary finding by State Health Laboratory using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

— caitlin keating, PEOPLE.com, "Florida Family Devastated After 12-Year-Old Boy Dies From the Flu 2 Days After Becoming Ill," 5 Feb. 2018
The signature appears within 24 hours of exposure and can be measured using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a common technique.

— ann griswold, Scientific American, "Detecting Radiation Exposure with a Blood Test," 1 June 2017

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.

First Known Use of polymerase chain reaction

1985

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

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