RNA

noun

ˌär-(ˌ)en-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna

Examples of RNA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

NTx Bio has halted construction of a $31 million RNA manufacturing facility in Plano, Texas. —Jeff Coller, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

Sarepta, meanwhile, posted early but limited data on new RNA therapies, asking investors to buy back in after a difficult year. —Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026

Other asteroids may contain actual strands of DNA and RNA and not just the components. —Devika Rao, TheWeek, 24 Mar. 2026

Scientists have discovered that a sample of the Ryugu asteroid collected by Japan's Hayabusa 2 spacecraft contains the nucleobases adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, the building blocks of DNA and RNA upon which all life is based. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing RNA

• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccine
• messenger RNA vaccines
• micro-RNA
• ribosomal RNA
• RNA interference
• RNA polymerase
• RNA virus
• transfer RNA

Kids Definition

RNA

noun

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that are typically found in the cytoplasm of cells, are usually composed of a single chain of nucleotides, differ from DNA in containing ribose as the five-carbon sugar instead of deoxyribose, and that function mostly in protein synthesis

called also ribonucleic acid

compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna

Medical Definition

RNA

noun

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities

called also ribonucleic acid

see messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna