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.

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ribonucleic acid British  

/ ˌraɪbəʊnjuːˈkliːɪk, -ˈkleɪ- /

noun

1. the full name of RNA

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ribonucleic acid Scientific  

/ rī′bō-no̅o̅-klē′ĭk /

1. See RNA

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ribonucleic acid Cultural  

1. See RNA.

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Etymology

Origin of ribonucleic acid

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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2025

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 • Oct. 2, 2023

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

From Reuters • Mar. 21, 2023

The Merck drug mimics the building blocks of ribonucleic acid, or RNA, causing viral replication to go haywire by creating mutations — so many that the viral genetic machinery fails.

From Washington Post • Nov. 6, 2021

Ochoa received his share of the prize for research in ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid.

From History of Phosphorus by Farber, Eduard