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
Gary Ramirez, 78, was identified as the killer in 2022 through DNA evidence and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
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Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Another part of the brand’s DNA has been their commitment to innovating with textures.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Police recovered the pistol used to kill Johnson and found Stevenson’s DNA on it, according to court records.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
There's quite a lot of Panamera DNA in the new Continental GT, as well as some recent Audi ancestry.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025
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Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Another part of the brand’s DNA has been their commitment to innovating with textures.
—Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Police recovered the pistol used to kill Johnson and found Stevenson’s DNA on it, according to court records.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
There's quite a lot of Panamera DNA in the new Continental GT, as well as some recent Audi ancestry.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 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 17 May. 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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