nucleic acid
noun
nu·cle·ic acid
nu̇-ˈklē-ik- 
-ˈklā-
-ˈklā-
nyu̇-
: any of various complex organic acids (such as DNA or RNA) that are composed of nucleotide chains
Examples of nucleic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Glycation is a process in which sugar attaches to proteins, fats, or nucleic acids without any assistance from enzymes in the body.
—
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 25 July 2025
The second category of safeguards involves imposing restrictions on companies that synthesize nucleic acids.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025
The next step is extracting their nucleic acids – the DNA or RNA that holds the pathogens’ genetic information.
—Carol Wilusz, The Conversation, 4 May 2022
When the nucleic acid is inserted into human cells, the cells produce the antigen, which triggers an immune response.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Sep. 2020
See All Example Sentences for nucleic acid
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Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 25 July 2025
The second category of safeguards involves imposing restrictions on companies that synthesize nucleic acids.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025
The next step is extracting their nucleic acids – the DNA or RNA that holds the pathogens’ genetic information.
—Carol Wilusz, The Conversation, 4 May 2022
When the nucleic acid is inserted into human cells, the cells produce the antigen, which triggers an immune response.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Sep. 2020
See All Example Sentences for nucleic acid
Cite this Entry
“Nucleic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nucleic%20acid. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nucleic acid
noun
nu·cle·ic acid
n(y)u̇-ˌklā-ik-
-ˌklē-
-ˌklē-
: any of various acids (as DNA or RNA) composed of a chain of nucleotides and found especially in cell nuclei
Medical Definition
nucleic acid
noun
nu·cle·ic acid
n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-
-ˌklā-
-ˌklā-
: any of various acids (as an RNA or a DNA) composed of nucleotide chains
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