: 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
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So the virus carries the gene into the cell, where the gene travels to the nucleus and sets up shop and ultimately starts making the RNA and protein, etcetera. Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 4 May 2026 In a message sent to the Boise School District community, Central District Health alerted residents that officials had an isolated detection of measles virus RNA in wastewater collected in Ada County on April 22. Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2026 Currently, researchers are able to use AI to analyze genomic data in combination with limited amounts of other biological information, such as gene activity, epigenomics, RNA signatures and protein function. Gary Skuse, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026 The scientists found that measuring levels of small RNA molecules called piRNA accurately predicted whether older adults are likely to survive at least two more years. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for RNA

Word History

Etymology

ribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of RNA was in 1942

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Cite this Entry

“RNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/RNA. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

: 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 rna

Medical Definition

: 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 rna

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