ribonucleic acid

noun

ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid ˌrī-bō-nu̇-ˈklē-ik- 

-nyu̇-, 

-ˈklā- 

: rna

Examples of ribonucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Samples are processed in special rooms on the new public health building’s second floor, moving through concentration and extraction steps where viral ribonucleic acid is extracted and enzymes are used to convert this genetic material into a form of DNA. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

Gut also notes that to perform annotations researchers are making increasing use of another genetic molecule, RNA, or ribonucleic acid. —Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Nov. 2025

Avidity specializes in developing an innovative class of ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics called antibody oligonucleotide conjugates. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025

It is caused by a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ribonucleic acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

ribonucleic acid

noun

ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- 

-ˌklā-

: rna

Medical Definition

ribonucleic acid

noun

ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-  -ˌklā- 

: rna