Phrase guide

junk DNA

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any portion of the DNA sequence of a chromosome or a genome with no apparent function identified by science to date.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: biology, genetics, medicine, natural-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: non-functional DNA

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: non-coding DNA, DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, nucleic acid

2

noun

Meaning 2

stretches of DNA that do not code for genes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • most of the genome consists of junk DNA

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: deoxyribonucleic acid, desoxyribonucleic acid, DNA

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: ADN poubelle — portion of DNA that has no identified function
  • German: nichtkodierende Desoxyribonukleinsäure — portion of DNA that has no identified function
  • German: nichtkodierende DNS — portion of DNA that has no identified function
  • Japanese: ジャンクDNA (janku dī-enu-ē) — portion of DNA that has no identified function
  • Swedish: skräp-DNA — portion of DNA that has no identified function