nucleic acid

noun

nu·​cle·​ic acid nu̇-ˈklē-ik- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio) -ˈklā- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio)
nyu̇-
: any of various complex organic acids (such as DNA or RNA) that are composed of nucleotide chains

Examples of nucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Pontefract also explains that impact craters, closed-basin environments, can contain high concentrations of chemistry due to evaporation, and origin of life scholars have shown that dehydration is an important process for forming nucleic acids from basic building blocks. Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 The significance of carbon can be understood through its multifaceted roles: Carbon is the primary component of organic molecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Sahit Muja, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 These vesicles, which carry bioactive cargo like lipids, growth factors, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids, are typically paired with in-office RF micro-needling and laser treatments. Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Providers of synthetic nucleic acids should be required to know their customers and screen orders for suspicious DNA sequences. Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nucleic acid 

Word History

Etymology

from their occurrence in cell nuclei

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nucleic acid was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near nucleic acid

Cite this Entry

“Nucleic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleic%20acid. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

nucleic acid

noun
nu·​cle·​ic acid n(y)u̇-ˌklā-ik- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio) -ˌklē- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio)
: any of various acids (as DNA or RNA) composed of a chain of nucleotides and found especially in cell nuclei

Medical Definition

nucleic acid

noun
nu·​cle·​ic acid n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio) -ˌklā- How to pronounce nucleic acid (audio)
: any of various acids (as an RNA or a DNA) composed of nucleotide chains

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