junk DNA
noun
: a region of DNA that usually consists of a repeating DNA sequence, does not code for protein, and has no known function
Examples of junk DNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some scientists, including Francis Crick, have speculated that aliens or ancient civilizations might have inserted messages into the junk DNA of humans or other animals.
—
Matthew Hutson,
The New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2025
Now, scientists have traced our tail loss to a short sequence of genetic code that is abundant in our genome but had been dismissed for decades as junk DNA, a sequence that seemingly serves no biological purpose.
—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2024
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Matthew Hutson,
The New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2025
Now, scientists have traced our tail loss to a short sequence of genetic code that is abundant in our genome but had been dismissed for decades as junk DNA, a sequence that seemingly serves no biological purpose.
—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Junk DNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/junk%20DNA. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
junk DNA
noun
: a region of DNA (as spacer DNA) that usually consists of a repeating DNA sequence, does not code for protein, and has no known function
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