thymine

[ thahy-meen, -min ]
/ ˈθaɪ min, -mɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

a pyrimidine base, C5H6N2O2, that is one of the principal components of DNA, in which it is paired with adenine. Symbol: T

Origin of thymine

First recorded in 1890–95; thym(ic)2 + -ine2

Words nearby thymine

thymic vein, thymicolymphatic, thymidine, thymidine triphosphate, thymidylic acid, thymine, thymitis, thymo-, thymocyte, thymokinetic, thymol

Example sentences from the Web for thymine

  • The difference between these two bases is one methyl group: thymine is a 5-methyluracil.

    History of Phosphorus |Eduard Farber

  • Of the four basic components on the right, thymine occurs in the nucleic acid from the thymus gland.

    History of Phosphorus |Eduard Farber

British Dictionary definitions for thymine

thymine
/ (ˈθaɪmiːn) /

noun

a white crystalline pyrimidine base found in DNA. Formula: C 5 H 6 N 2 O 2

Word Origin for thymine

C19: from thymic (see thymus) + -ine ²

Medical definitions for thymine

thymine
[ thī′mēn′ ]

n.

A pyrimidine base that is an essential constituent of DNA.

Scientific definitions for thymine

thymine
[ thī′mēn′ ]

A pyrimidine base that is a component of DNA. It forms a base pair with adenine. Chemical formula: C5H6N2O2.