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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
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Word History
Etymology
deoxyribose + nucleic acid
First Known Use
1938, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of deoxyribonucleic acid was
in 1938
Dictionary Entries Near deoxyribonucleic acid
Cite this Entry
“Deoxyribonucleic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deoxyribonucleic%20acid. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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
: dna
More from Merriam-Webster on deoxyribonucleic acid
Britannica English: Translation of deoxyribonucleic acid for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deoxyribonucleic acid
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