: 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

Illustration of DNA

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

Examples of DNA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If not kept in check, free radicals react with other chemicals in the body and can damage fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins, leading to diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Mar. 2024 But Graves said the rate grew after the de-accreditation of the city’s troubled D.C. forensic lab, which required prosecutors to use federal agencies and private laboratories to make up the slack and process evidence involving drugs, firearms and DNA. Emily Davies, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 In November 2002, Mesa police linked both attacks based on a DNA match, the county attorney's office noted. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 Derek’s parents died the year before, and in going through his mother’s things, Derek read her diary, learned of her brief affair with the billionaire, and confirmed his paternity with a DNA test. EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 The affidavit for the warrant to obtain his DNA claimed it was found near the body, which was untrue, a lie that Radner says might have kept it from the trial. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024 No remains have yet been located, but Leydon’s DNA has been added to the New South Wales and national DNA registries, the coroner said. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 The case then went cold but detectives continued working the case, obtaining DNA from family members and entering her in a national database of missing children. Frank Fernandez, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 The case was reopened in 2020 because of changes in DNA forensics, and investigators sent the fingerprint to an FBI liaison officer in Berlin for analysis on suspicion that the murderer was an American soldier. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 20 Feb. 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.

Word History

Etymology

deoxyribonucleic acid

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of DNA was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near DNA

Cite this Entry

“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

: 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

: 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

see recombinant dna

More from Merriam-Webster on DNA

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