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
Rudy Guede, the only person definitively convicted in Kercher's murder and whose fingerprints and DNA were found at the scene, was released in 2021 after serving 13 years of a 16-year sentence.
—
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Filming is due to begin in the first week of May next year with its usual key crew, ensuring the show will retain its French DNA, Variety has learned.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Dolly’s late brother, Floyd Parton, his twin sister, Freida, and Dolly’s youngest sibling, Rachel, also appear on Smoky Mountain DNA.
—Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
Our nuanced understanding of this space and its parallels to fashion are embedded in our DNA.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA 
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Christina Coulter, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Filming is due to begin in the first week of May next year with its usual key crew, ensuring the show will retain its French DNA, Variety has learned.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
Dolly’s late brother, Floyd Parton, his twin sister, Freida, and Dolly’s youngest sibling, Rachel, also appear on Smoky Mountain DNA.
—Stephen L. Betts, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
Our nuanced understanding of this space and its parallels to fashion are embedded in our DNA.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA
Dictionary Entries Near DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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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