nucleic acid

noun

nu·​cle·​ic acid nu̇-ˈklē-ik- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio) -ˈklā- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio)
nyu̇-
: any of various complex organic acids (such as DNA or RNA) that are composed of nucleotide chains

Examples of nucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Our new findings suggest that our microbes are likely playing a part in this recycling process by converting large nitrogen-containing molecules like proteins and nucleic acids into ammonium. Jennifer Debruyn, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2023 Shown are a variety of nucleic acids — messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) — as well as classes of proteins that serve different functions. Matías A. Loewy, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2023 Each position in a single strand of DNA consists of one of four nucleic acids, known as bases and represented as A, T, G, and C. IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 The code was incomplete, a sequence of programming phrases that bracketed a partial map of nucleic acids, amino acid chains, and proteins. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2024 The protein structure of CAS, shown with nucleic acids bound. Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 2 Dec. 2023 Reduce chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks by educating all suppliers of custom nucleic acids or other potentially dangerous substances about best practices. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Jan. 2024 The new tool was required because databases of protein and nucleic acid sequences are expanding at a ridiculous rate, so the techniques for analyzing all of that data need to keep up. Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 2 Dec. 2023 How well an antivenin works depends on the potency of the venom—a mixture of biological substances including amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids, peptides and proteins. Kamala Thiagarajan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nucleic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from their occurrence in cell nuclei

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nucleic acid was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near nucleic acid

Cite this Entry

“Nucleic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleic%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nucleic acid

noun
nu·​cle·​ic acid n(y)u̇-ˌklā-ik- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio) -ˌklē- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio)
: any of various acids (as DNA or RNA) composed of a chain of nucleotides and found especially in cell nuclei

Medical Definition

nucleic acid

noun
nu·​cle·​ic acid n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio) -ˌklā- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio)
: any of various acids (as an RNA or a DNA) composed of nucleotide chains

More from Merriam-Webster on nucleic acid

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