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uracil

noun
ura·​cil | \ ˈyu̇r-É™-ËŒsil How to pronounce uracil (audio) , -sÉ™l\

Definition of uracil

: a pyrimidine base C4H4N2O2 that is one of the four bases coding genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of RNA — compare adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine

Examples of uracil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 However, rather than the conventional duo of base pairs, adenine and uracil or cytosine and guanine, the molecules form hexamers, or six-membered rings. — Quanta Magazine, "Chemists Seek Possible Precursor to RNA," 5 Feb. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uracil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of uracil

1890, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for uracil

International Scientific Vocabulary ur- entry 1 + acetic + -il (substance relating to)

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More Definitions for uracil

uracil

noun
ura·​cil | \ ˈyu̇r-É™-ËŒsil, -sÉ™l How to pronounce uracil (audio) \

Medical Definition of uracil

: a pyrimidine base C4H4N2O2 that is one of the four bases coding genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of RNA — compare adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine

More from Merriam-Webster on uracil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about uracil

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