ribozyme
noun
ri·bo·zyme
ˈrī-bə-ˌzīm 
: a molecule of RNA that functions as an enzyme (as by catalyzing the cleavage of other RNA molecules)
Examples of ribozyme in a Sentence
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And in fact, at the ribozyme level, there’s some real-world overlap, as some ribozymes that were first identified as ligases were converted into polymerases by selecting for this new function.
—
Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Feb. 2026
The researchers then subjected the pool of ribozymes to a challenge.
—Quanta Magazine, 25 Aug. 2016
In a truly cooperative system, one ribozyme would speed up the replication of another.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2012
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Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Feb. 2026
The researchers then subjected the pool of ribozymes to a challenge.
—Quanta Magazine, 25 Aug. 2016
In a truly cooperative system, one ribozyme would speed up the replication of another.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Ribozyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribozyme. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ribozyme
noun
ri·bo·zyme
ˈrī-bə-ˌzīm
: a molecule of RNA that functions as an enzyme (as by catalyzing the cleavage of other RNA molecules)
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