deoxyribonucleic acid

noun de·oxy·ri·bo·nu·cle·ic acid \(ˌ)dē-ˈäk-si-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-, -ˌklā-\

Definition of DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID

: dna

See deoxyribonucleic acid defined for English-language learners

See deoxyribonucleic acid defined for kids

deoxyribose + nucleic acid

First Known Use: 1938

Medical Dictionary

noun de·oxy·ri·bo·nu·cle·ic acid \(ˈ)dē-ˈäk-si-ˌrī-bō-n(y)u̇-ˌklē-ik-, -ˌklā-\

: dna

de·oxy·ri·bo·nu·cle·ic acid also des·oxy·ri·bo·nu·cle·ic acid \(ˈ)des-\

Next Word in the Dictionary: deoxyribonucleotidePrevious Word in the Dictionary: deoxyribonucleaseAll Words Near: deoxyribonucleic acid

What made you want to look up deoxyribonucleic acid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears