uracil

[ yoo r-uh-sil ]
/ ˈyʊər ə sɪl /

noun

Biochemistry. a pyrimidine base, C4H4N2O2, that is one of the fundamental components of RNA, in which it forms base pairs with adenine. Symbol: U

Origin of uracil

1905–10; ur-1 + ac(etic) + -il, of uncertain origin

Words nearby uracil

ur, ur of the chaldees, ur-, ur-nammu, urachus, uracil, uraemia, uraeus, ural, ural mountains, ural owl

British Dictionary definitions for uracil

uracil
/ (ˈjʊərəsɪl) /

noun

biochem a pyrimidine present in all living cells, usually in a combined form, as in RNA. Formula: C 4 H 4 N 2 O 2

Word Origin for uracil

C20: from uro- 1 + acetic + -ile

Medical definitions for uracil

uracil
[ yur′ə-sĭl ]

n.

A pyrimidine base that is an essential constituent of RNA.

Scientific definitions for uracil

uracil
[ yur′ə-sĭl ]

A pyrimidine base that is a component of RNA. It forms a base pair with adenine during transcription. Uracil is therefore structurally analogous to thymine in molecules of DNA. Chemical formula: C4H4N2O2.