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ribonucleic acid

American  
[rahy-boh-noo-klee-ik as-id, -kley-, -nyoo-, rahy-] / ˈraɪ boʊ nuˈkli ɪk ˈæs ɪd, -ˈkleɪ-, -nyu-, ˌraɪ- /
Sometimes ribose nucleic acid

noun

Biochemistry.
  1. RNA.


ribonucleic acid British  
/ ˌraɪbəʊnjuːˈkliːɪk, -ˈkleɪ- /

noun

  1. the full name of RNA

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ribonucleic acid Scientific  
/ rī′bō-no̅o̅-klēĭk /
  1. See RNA


ribonucleic acid Cultural  
  1. See RNA.


Etymology

Origin of ribonucleic acid

First recorded in 1930–35; ribo(se) + nucleic acid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a crucial molecule that helps translate genetic information into proteins.

From Science Daily

Burns said another study with Gruber looked at how capture methods affect jellyfish ribonucleic acid, known as RNA, one of the building blocks of life.

From Science Daily

Karikó was first introduced to ribonucleic acid, or RNA, in 1978 and said she’s been “passionate about this fragile molecule ever since.”

From Los Angeles Times

RNA, short for ribonucleic acid, would not be possible without uracil.

From Reuters

Pfizer and Moderna don’t use a virus, but rather a genetic code — messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA — to spur cells to create a protein that mimics enough of the coronavirus to stimulate an immune response.

From Washington Times