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
For instance, the biomedicine AI start-up Arc Institute is designing a machine learning model trained on DNA of 100,000 species to identify disease-causing genome mutations and to assist new drug discovery.
—
Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
In case that doesn’t work, he’s got a backup plan that involves combining his DNA with that of the late General Zod.
—Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
As the second tier in LG's illustrious OLED lineup, high-value performance is in its DNA.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 11 July 2025
Renée, not Bosch, has the idea to test the palm print from Sarah’s window for DNA, and Renée, not Bosch, interviews Wilson’s mother.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 July 2025
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Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
In case that doesn’t work, he’s got a backup plan that involves combining his DNA with that of the late General Zod.
—Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025
As the second tier in LG's illustrious OLED lineup, high-value performance is in its DNA.
—Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 11 July 2025
Renée, not Bosch, has the idea to test the palm print from Sarah’s window for DNA, and Renée, not Bosch, interviews Wilson’s mother.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 July 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 Jul. 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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