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
Recent Examples on the Web
Farmer said her team worked for several days to fully identify the victims, as some had to be confirmed through DNA testing and medical and dental records.
—
Staff, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
Ancestry rumors dismissed and scientific scrutiny urged The DNA analysis also challenges persistent speculation that Hitler’s paternal line included Jewish ancestry, a rumor rooted in claims that his grandmother became pregnant while working in a Jewish household.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
Advances in sequencing ancient DNA have revealed that over millenia, people have moved into new regions in successive waves, sometimes intermingling with local folk, sometimes replacing them entirely.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
In 2023, Michigan State Police reopened the case and reached out to the DNA Doe Project for assistance, the organization said.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
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Staff, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Nov. 2025
Ancestry rumors dismissed and scientific scrutiny urged The DNA analysis also challenges persistent speculation that Hitler’s paternal line included Jewish ancestry, a rumor rooted in claims that his grandmother became pregnant while working in a Jewish household.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
Advances in sequencing ancient DNA have revealed that over millenia, people have moved into new regions in successive waves, sometimes intermingling with local folk, sometimes replacing them entirely.
—Veronique Greenwood, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
In 2023, Michigan State Police reopened the case and reached out to the DNA Doe Project for assistance, the organization said.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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