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
That alone makes the proposition of using DNA as an engineering material far more feasible.
—
Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
Microscopic pieces of that salmon DNA are then sold by ingredient suppliers to brands and cosmetic chemists who blend PDRN with other active ingredients in their formulas.
—Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
With minor variations, everything uses the same sets of three DNA bases to encode the same 20 amino acids.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Lake County Circuit Judge Brian Welke allowed the testing to be conducted by DNA Labs International, a company with a laboratory in Deerfield Beach.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for DNA
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Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026
Microscopic pieces of that salmon DNA are then sold by ingredient suppliers to brands and cosmetic chemists who blend PDRN with other active ingredients in their formulas.
—Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 30 Apr. 2026
With minor variations, everything uses the same sets of three DNA bases to encode the same 20 amino acids.
—ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026
Lake County Circuit Judge Brian Welke allowed the testing to be conducted by DNA Labs International, a company with a laboratory in Deerfield Beach.
—Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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
