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 mRNA provides the cell with instructions to make molecular machinery that can change a single base in DNA, called an adenine base-editor protein.
—
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
Some of the data stolen included raw genetic data, health reports, DNA shared with other relatives, and locations and birth years of relatives.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Between 2010 and 2023, the sheriff's office submitted evidence to the Santa Clara County crime lab and the Serological Research Institute for advanced DNA testing.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 May 2026
The kit matched Holloway’s DNA, the department said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
Some of the data stolen included raw genetic data, health reports, DNA shared with other relatives, and locations and birth years of relatives.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
Between 2010 and 2023, the sheriff's office submitted evidence to the Santa Clara County crime lab and the Serological Research Institute for advanced DNA testing.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 May 2026
The kit matched Holloway’s DNA, the department said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for DNA
Cite this Entry
“DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/DNA. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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
see recombinant dnaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
