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RNA
noun
: 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
In this image, each color represents a different type of RNA.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
Under this concept, an early proto-life-form used RNA both for its enzymatic activities and as its genetic material.
—Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
This isn't the first time RNA has been honored recently.
—Alice Park, TIME, 7 Oct. 2024
What is the Nobel Prize for? Advertisement RNA is best known for carrying instructions for how to make proteins from DNA in the nucleus of the cell to tiny cellular factories that actually build the proteins.
—Daniel Niemann, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
ribonucleic acid
First Known Use
1942, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing RNA
Dictionary Entries Near RNA
Cite this Entry
“RNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RNA. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
RNA
noun
: 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 rnaMedical Definition
RNA
noun
: 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 rnaMore from Merriam-Webster on RNA
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about RNA
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