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
The surprise selection is Cubert, a 12-year-old clone created from DNA extracted from a growth on Hubert's back.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Loading your audio article SAN JOSE — A Santa Clara County judge sentenced a man Monday to eight years in prison in a three-decade-old cold case kidnapping solved by DNA evidence in 2022.
—Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Last week, Zeigler’s legal team filed a motion based on new DNA evidence that his attorneys say proves Zeigler is innocent of the quadruple murders for which he was convicted in 1976.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
The identification cannot be confirmed until officials compare the remains to Schepers’ collected DNA or her dental records, police said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Loading your audio article SAN JOSE — A Santa Clara County judge sentenced a man Monday to eight years in prison in a three-decade-old cold case kidnapping solved by DNA evidence in 2022.
—Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
Last week, Zeigler’s legal team filed a motion based on new DNA evidence that his attorneys say proves Zeigler is innocent of the quadruple murders for which he was convicted in 1976.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
The identification cannot be confirmed until officials compare the remains to Schepers’ collected DNA or her dental records, police said.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 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 30 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
Share