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
The club has embraced the San Francisco and Silicon Valley DNA mindset of disruption.
—
Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 14 Mar. 2025
The luxury home firm’s CEO Giovanni del Vecchio said that the collaboration is indicative of the company’s DNA which is rooted in bold experimentation.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
Sixteen familial portraits examine experience in the Southwest United States and Mexican borderlands, layering DNA testing to map human migration.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
The team also used the DNA to estimate Adélie population trends over time.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for DNA
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Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 14 Mar. 2025
The luxury home firm’s CEO Giovanni del Vecchio said that the collaboration is indicative of the company’s DNA which is rooted in bold experimentation.
—Sofia Celeste, WWD, 14 Mar. 2025
Sixteen familial portraits examine experience in the Southwest United States and Mexican borderlands, layering DNA testing to map human migration.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
The team also used the DNA to estimate Adélie population trends over time.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 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 19 Mar. 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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