deoxyribonucleic acid

noun

de·​oxy·​ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid (ˌ)dē-ˈäk-si-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- 

-ˌklā-

: dna

Examples of deoxyribonucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Folate is needed to make DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) and helps produce healthy red blood cells. —Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024

Human genomes, the massive set of genetic material every person carries, are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. —Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2023

This artist rendering is based on an image of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) taken with an atomic force microscope (AFM). —Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2018

First, a little refresher on DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. —Kimberly Hickok, Popular Mechanics, 24 May 2022

Together your genes make up your deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, which serves as kind of an instruction manual for all the cells in your body. —Christine Byrne, Mph, SELF, 13 Apr. 2022

It’s one of three kinds of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that all work together to translate pure genetic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) information into proteins in your body. —Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 30 Nov. 2020

But in new research, scientists suggest RNA’s origins and role in the formation of life could have been very different than previously believed—and sharing the spotlight with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). —Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 29 Dec. 2020

Typically, researchers make RNA (ribonucleic acid) from DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). —Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 6 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

deoxyribose + nucleic acid

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

deoxyribonucleic acid

noun

de·​oxy·​ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid (ˌ)dē-ˌäk-sē-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- 

-ˌklā-

: dna

Medical Definition

deoxyribonucleic acid

noun

de·​oxy·​ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid (ˈ)dē-ˈäk-si-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-, -ˌklā- 

variants also desoxyribonucleic acid

(ˈ)des- 

: dna