DNA

noun

ˌdē-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases (see base entry 1 sense 6b) which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei compare recombinant dna

Illustration of DNA

• A molecular model
• 1 hydrogen
• 2 oxygen
• 3 carbon in the helical phosphate ester chains
• 4 carbon and nitrogen in the cross-linked purine and pyrimidine bases
• 5 phosphorus
• B double helix

Examples of DNA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Namely, a black trash bag with DNA from four people, including d4vd. — Jason Kravarik, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Undeterred, the team simplified things and fed AlphaFold only the DNA, RNA, and Cas9 protein, since the latter is the primary factor determining its sequence specificity. — ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026

Law enforcement can’t collect DNA without consent or a warrant, unless the person is convicted of certain crimes. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026

Tosch said Rivas’ DNA was also found on a rowing machine, a black rubber floor mat, a Tesla charger, and a green tarp in the garage. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

deoxyribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing DNA

• DNA fingerprinting
• DNA methylation
• DNA phenotyping
• DNA polymerase
• DNA test
• DNA virus
• junk DNA
• mitochondrial DNA
• recombinant DNA
• satellite DNA

Rhymes for DNA

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

DNA

noun

ˌdē-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that are located especially in cell nuclei, are usually the chemical basis of heredity, and are composed of two nucleotide chains held together by hydrogen bonds in a pattern resembling a flexible twisted ladder compare rna

Medical Definition

DNA

noun

ˌdē-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that are usually the molecular basis of heredity, are constructed of a double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between purine and pyrimidine bases which project inward from two chains containing alternate links of deoxyribose and phosphate, and that in eukaryotes are localized chiefly in cell nuclei

called also deoxyribonucleic acid

see recombinant dna