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 family is waiting for more information from a DNA test that could prove that Cortés targeted his victims more than a decade ago.
—
Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
The body had been left abandoned for so long that police were unable to immediately determine the age, gender and identity of the child, according to the Inquirer, and the corpse was eventually identified through DNA testing.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
The body of 4-year-old Damari Carter, who went missing in December, has been found and identified by using DNA evidence, police said.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
In San Diego, water contact is considered unsafe when levels surpass 1,413 DNA copies of that bacteria or 104 Enterococci per 100 milliliters.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Three male staff members were placed on leave and all current and some former staff members had DNA taken as part of the investigation, Fonger told WLS.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Gamma rays contain a lot of energy and can damage human tissues and DNA.
—Amy Lien, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors said subsequent laboratory testing confirmed traces of Tobin’s DNA were found in the examination.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
Inspector Kevin Kentish of the homicide division attributed the arrest to advances in DNA technology and to the fresh perspective that a new generation of detectives brought to the case.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
The body had been left abandoned for so long that police were unable to immediately determine the age, gender and identity of the child, according to the Inquirer, and the corpse was eventually identified through DNA testing.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
The body of 4-year-old Damari Carter, who went missing in December, has been found and identified by using DNA evidence, police said.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
In San Diego, water contact is considered unsafe when levels surpass 1,413 DNA copies of that bacteria or 104 Enterococci per 100 milliliters.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Three male staff members were placed on leave and all current and some former staff members had DNA taken as part of the investigation, Fonger told WLS.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 19 Apr. 2024
Gamma rays contain a lot of energy and can damage human tissues and DNA.
—Amy Lien, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024
Prosecutors said subsequent laboratory testing confirmed traces of Tobin’s DNA were found in the examination.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024
Inspector Kevin Kentish of the homicide division attributed the arrest to advances in DNA technology and to the fresh perspective that a new generation of detectives brought to the case.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'DNA.' 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 DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 6 May. 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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