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
DNA
noun
: 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
Examples of DNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As Stetson continued to grow, Jenny, who lives in North Carolina, decided to find out more and ordered a dog DNA test.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
The model retains the one-of-a-kind Freak DNA with no dial, no hands and the movement on full display.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
In a World Like This Tour (2013–2015), and DNA World Tour (2019–2024).
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 Feb. 2025
Person of Interest became a meditation on the post-9/11 surveillance state, transcending its network-procedural DNA.
Yellowjackets, whose third season premiered last Friday on Paramount+ with Showtime, fits that mold to an extent.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
The model retains the one-of-a-kind Freak DNA with no dial, no hands and the movement on full display.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
In a World Like This Tour (2013–2015), and DNA World Tour (2019–2024).
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 18 Feb. 2025
Person of Interest became a meditation on the post-9/11 surveillance state, transcending its network-procedural DNA.
Yellowjackets, whose third season premiered last Friday on Paramount+ with Showtime, fits that mold to an extent.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
DNA
noun
: 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
: 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 dnaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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