: 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

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But staining showed no RNA or DNA molecules, indicating that the cells were definitely dead. Siddhant Pusdekar, Quanta Magazine, 1 June 2026 The nanoparticle package also provides a guide RNA that directs the base-editing protein to make a specific base change and nick in a specific gene. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 Shunichi Oda for Forbes Asia One listee, Hikari Okita, is researching the potential of xeno-nucleic acid (XNA), a more durable version of DNA and RNA but with similar genetic storage capabilities. Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 His research has helped illuminate how some of the earliest biomolecules may have arisen and how RNA could assemble, replicate and evolve. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for RNA

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of RNA was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“RNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RNA. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

: 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

: 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

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