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

The new species was identified by its scale pattern, coloring, other subtle physical features and DNA, the study said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024

Handling bodies correctly and in a timely manner allows Ukrainian families to find closure and Russians to have a proper starting point for their DNA analyses. —Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2024

The detectives requested a DNA swab from Walker in order to rule him out as a suspect, and Walker refused, according to the affidavit. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024

The test works by looking for cancer signals from DNA shed by tumors in the blood stream. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 23 May 2024

So far, that effort has identified three men based on DNA extracted from the bones. —CBS News, 22 May 2024

Liar Michael Cohen can run but can't hide from the truth even though lying is in his DNA. —Fox News, 15 May 2024

All of the schematics and photos that Albini was willingly putting out in the world, not caring whether anybody was gonna quote-unquote steal his sound — that was part of the DNA of our first few albums. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

Ellison found members of the man’s family in Ohio and compared their DNA to the evidence. —Marisa Kwiatkowski, USA TODAY, 14 May 2024

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

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