reverse transcriptase

noun

: a polymerase especially of retroviruses that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template

Examples of reverse transcriptase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The agents collected more than 200,000 reverse transcriptases, identified about 3,500 candidate systems and eventually narrowed the field to 20 candidates for detailed reports. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

Commercialization of both reverse transcriptase (the RT) and PCR allowed scientists to develop the real-time monitoring of reaction progress for their own research. — ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

For example, Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or TDF) is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) associated with nephrotoxicity. — Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2025

The medications target a unique enzyme in HIV called reverse transcriptase, which then prevents the virus from replicating and infecting cells in the body, Alan explains. — Korin Miller, Health.com, 9 Dec. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reverse transcriptase

• oxidoreductase
• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase

Medical Definition

reverse transcriptase

noun

: a polymerase especially of retroviruses that catalyzes the formation of DNA using RNA as a template