nucleic acid
noun
nu·cle·ic acid
nu̇-ˈklē-ik- 
-ˈklā-
-ˈklā-
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
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
Astrobiologists believe that the nucleic acids RNA and DNA first developed with some level of contribution from amino acids and other molecules that rode in on asteroids like Bennu billions of years ago.
—Linda Shiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nucleic acid 
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
Astrobiologists believe that the nucleic acids RNA and DNA first developed with some level of contribution from amino acids and other molecules that rode in on asteroids like Bennu billions of years ago.
—Linda Shiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for nucleic acid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nucleic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nucleic acid
noun
nu·cle·ic acid
n(y)u̇-ˌklā-ik-
-ˌklē-
-ˌklē-
: 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-
-ˌklā-
-ˌklā-
: any of various acids (as an RNA or a DNA) composed of nucleotide chains
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