: 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
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The study shows that a long non-coding RNA called CISTR-ACT acts as a master regulator of cell size, influencing how large or small cells grow across multiple tissues. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Dec. 2025 Dust and rock collected from the asteroid Bennu contained many of life’s building blocks, including all five nucleobases used in DNA and RNA, 14 of the 20 amino acids found in proteins, and a rich collection of other organic molecules. Amirali Aghazadeh, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025 Postmortem testing did find rabies virus RNA in the man. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025 Wave Life Sciences has surged 50% this year, adding 147% alone on Monday after announcing positive interim data from a Phase 1 trial of an RNA obesity shot which helped cut fat without muscle loss. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025 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 21 Dec. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on RNA

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