ribonucleic acid

noun

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

-nyu̇-,

-ˌklā-

: rna

Examples of ribonucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

One of the most dramatic examples is the research on messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA. —Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

These obelisks, as they've been named, are minuscule bits of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that serve an unknown function, even though their presence could be widespread in the microbiome, according to a recent study published recently in Cell. —Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

Folate is needed to make DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) and helps produce healthy red blood cells. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024

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