nucleotide

[ noo-klee-uh-tahyd, nyoo- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of molecules that, when linked together, form the building blocks of DNA or RNA: composed of a phosphate group, the bases adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine, and a pentose sugar, in RNA the thymine base being replaced by uracil.

nucleotide

/ ˈnjuːklɪəˌtaɪd /

noun

1. biochem a compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to phosphoric acid. Nucleic acids are made up of long chains (polynucleotides) of such compounds

nucleotide

/ no̅o̅′klē-ə-tīd′ /

1. Any of a group of organic compounds composed of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group. Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids.

Other Words From

• inter·nucle·o·tide adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nucleotide¹

First recorded in 1905–10; alteration of nucleoside

Word History and Origins

Origin of nucleotide¹

C20: from nucleo- + t (added for ease of pronunciation) + -ide

Example Sentences

The team can retrieve specific files by adding complementary nucleotide sequences, or primers, corresponding to an individual file’s label.

From Singularity Hub 

Each strand of DNA includes an identifying sequence that matches a short sequence of nucleotides called a PCR primer.

From Singularity Hub 

In the study, the team manipulated the PCSK9 gene by changing a single nucleotide from A to G at a specific location.

From Singularity Hub 

Each strand acts as a template for a new molecule, built by matching the nucleotides on one strand with new nucleotides.

From Science News For Students

The information-carry subunits of the molecules are known as nucleotides.

From Science News