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

In last week’s announcement, World Boxing said all athletes over the age of 18 will have to undertake a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) genetic test, which can be conducted by a nasal or mouth swab, saliva or blood. —Reuters, CNN Money, 4 June 2025

Conventional diagnostic tools – blood tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses can take days to weeks. —New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025

So far, 96 of those samples were negative by polymerase chain reaction testing, or PCR, which detects live virus as well as inactive viral particles, indicating that those cheeses probably weren’t made with contaminated milk. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025

Their main focus is implementing the use of portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of viral diseases. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polymerase chain reaction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

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