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 next steps involved testing the DNA of living relatives to confirm the match.
—
Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
There was also no gunshot residue on Ecker, and his DNA was not found on the gun.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 26 Oct. 2024
In the study led by Rentería's Australian institution, 189 researchers looked through DNA data and MRI scans of 74,898 participants from 19 countries.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
The case remained unsolved for decades, but investigators arrested Mullen in August after DNA evidence linked him to the crime, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for DNA 
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Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
There was also no gunshot residue on Ecker, and his DNA was not found on the gun.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 26 Oct. 2024
In the study led by Rentería's Australian institution, 189 researchers looked through DNA data and MRI scans of 74,898 participants from 19 countries.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
The case remained unsolved for decades, but investigators arrested Mullen in August after DNA evidence linked him to the crime, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said.
—Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 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 5 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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