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
DNA
noun
: 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
Examples of DNA in a Sentence
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All the State Forensic Authority’s DNA analysis labs were looted and destroyed in the fighting.
—
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Investigators also entered Lisa Mbugua’s DNA into national databases and routinely compare it with unidentified human remains for familial matches.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Even on the surface level, just enjoying shows, but on the deeper level, so this is so woven into my DNA.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
Sustainability Being custodians of the land that surrounds it is in the DNA of Il Pellicano.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
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Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Investigators also entered Lisa Mbugua’s DNA into national databases and routinely compare it with unidentified human remains for familial matches.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
Even on the surface level, just enjoying shows, but on the deeper level, so this is so woven into my DNA.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2026
Sustainability Being custodians of the land that surrounds it is in the DNA of Il Pellicano.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
DNA
noun
: 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
: 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 dnaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
