English Reference

Word

mrna

Phoneticsmr·na

Definition

n. a molecule in your cells that carries instructions for making proteins. It acts like a messenger that tells your body how to build specific parts it needs to stay healthy.

n. a single-stranded molecule of RNA that corresponds to the genetic sequence of a gene and is read by a ribosome in the process of synthesizing a protein.

Examples

“The vaccine uses mRNA to teach the body how to fight the virus.”

“Scientists spent decades researching how to stabilize mRNA so it could be safely delivered into human cells.”

“By utilizing synthetic mRNA, researchers can instruct cells to produce specific antigens, effectively bypassing the need to introduce a weakened or inactivated pathogen into the patient's system.”

Examples

simple

“The vaccine uses mRNA to teach the body how to fight the virus.”

contextual

“Scientists spent decades researching how to stabilize mRNA so it could be safely delivered into human cells.”

complex

“By utilizing synthetic mRNA, researchers can instruct cells to produce specific antigens, effectively bypassing the need to introduce a weakened or inactivated pathogen into the patient's system.”

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'mRNA vaccine' or 'mRNA technology'.

Real-World Examples

Common in science writing

“Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries genetic instructions that cells use to produce proteins.”
Phys.org · 14 Aug 2026
“The vaccine uses the same mRNA technology used in current Covid jabs, with scientists saying this enables the vaccine to be created quickly and at scale, in the event of a pandemic.”
BBC News · 21 Apr 2026
“But the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines brought a new approach to vaccine development.”
The Conversation · 6 Aug 2026

Collocations

mrna vaccines

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference