ribonucleic acid

noun

ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid ˌrī-bō-nu̇-ˈklē-ik- How to pronounce ribonucleic acid (audio)
-nyu̇-,
-ˌklā-
: rna

Examples of ribonucleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The synthesis of ribonucleic acid requires various nitrile precursor molecules, such as hydrogen cyanide, cyanoacetylene and cyanogen, which can only form in certain conditions. Discover Magazine, 24 July 2023 Since the pandemic began this spring, scientists have learned that the ribonucleic acid, or RNA, of the coronavirus, which causes covid-19, can be detected in feces, and that infected individuals shed particles in their stool soon after being infected. Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2020 Unlike conventional vaccines, which use a live virus to trigger an immune response in humans, those made using messenger ribonucleic acid, mRNA, carry genetic instructions that generate a spike protein to develop antibodies against infections. Rajesh Roy, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2021 The researchers then extracted ribonucleic acid (RNA) — the cellular messenger that carries out the genetic instructions of DNA — from the nervous systems of both the shock and non-shock groups. Lacy Schley, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2018 But many researchers in the primordial biology game, Benner included, focus instead on RNA, or ribonucleic acid, a biological precursor to DNA that can also store genetic information and self-replicate but arises more easily from organic materials. Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2014 The virus’s genetic material consists of many different nucleotides strung together in a chain called ribonucleic acid (RNA). Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2022 This particularly applies in the case of mRNA vaccines where the only active ingredient is the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which trains a person’s body to recognize and kill the virus. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2021 Viruses constantly mutate, especially if their genetic material contains ribonucleic acid (RNA), as is the case with coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 2 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ribonucleic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribonucleic acid was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near ribonucleic acid

Cite this Entry

“Ribonucleic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribonucleic%20acid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ribonucleic acid

noun
ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- How to pronounce ribonucleic acid (audio)
-ˌklā-
: rna

Medical Definition

ribonucleic acid

noun
ri·​bo·​nu·​cle·​ic acid ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik- How to pronounce ribonucleic acid (audio) -ˌklā- How to pronounce ribonucleic acid (audio)
: rna

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