plural mRNAs
: messenger rna
Microarrays that identify thousands of active genes at a time are now a standard tool for biologists. They detect the mRNAs produced by active genes.New Scientist

Examples of mRNA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To overcome that problem, the researchers package the mRNA inside a bubble of lipids, which can then fuse with cell membranes, dumping the mRNA inside the cell. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 13 June 2024 Still other types of ncRNAs, called small nucleolar RNAs, work within cell compartments called nucleoli to help modify the RNA in ribosomes—a cell’s protein-making factories—as well as transfer RNA and mRNA. Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024 The miRNAs guide the RISC to an mRNA, and this either stops the mRNA from being translated into a protein or leads to its degradation, which has the same effect. Philip Ball, Scientific American, 14 May 2024 By Alice Park June 3, 2024 8:00 AM EDT Moderna says the same mRNA technology that fueled its COVID-19 vaccine is proving effective in fighting melanoma. Alice Park, TIME, 3 June 2024 That includes manufacturing mRNA — the genetic material that tells your body how to make proteins — which was key to the COVID-19 vaccine. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2024 Award Seeks to Demonstrate Feasibility of Manufacturing mRNA Vaccines in Only 7 Days STONY BROOK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 25, 2024 / Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024 Personalized mRNA Vaccines Another new technology being used in the development of novel cancer vaccines is messenger RNA (mRNA). Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024 The study’s results suggest that mRNA in extracellular vesicles are likely an ideal biological marker for identifying brain disorders that involve mood, schizophrenia, epilepsy and substance abuse. Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mRNA.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mRNA was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near mRNA

Cite this Entry

“MRNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mRNA. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!