RNA

noun

ˌär-(ˌ)en-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna

Examples of RNA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The test, developed at the University of California, San Francisco, extracts the DNA and RNA from a sample of blood, tissue or body fluid, and then sequences the genetic material and compares the sequences to a vast database of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites to see what matches up. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

The company continues to focus on its RNA medicines platform, PRISM, and is advancing a pipeline of potential first- or best-in-class programs across multiple therapeutic areas. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024

Scientists were able to extract RNA fragments from the Tasmanian tiger’s tongue, nasal cavity, brain and eye, per the statement. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024

In this image, each color represents a different type of RNA. —Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing RNA

• messenger RNA
• messenger RNA vaccines
• micro-RNA
• ribosomal RNA
• RNA interference
• RNA polymerase
• RNA virus
• transfer RNA

Kids Definition

RNA

noun

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that are typically found in the cytoplasm of cells, are usually composed of a single chain of nucleotides, differ from DNA in containing ribose as the five-carbon sugar instead of deoxyribose, and that function mostly in protein synthesis

called also ribonucleic acid

compare messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna

Medical Definition

RNA

noun

ˌär-ˌen-ˈā 

: any of various nucleic acids that contain ribose and uracil as structural components and are associated with the control of cellular chemical activities

called also ribonucleic acid

see messenger rna, ribosomal rna, transfer rna