How to Use polymerase chain reaction in a Sentence

polymerase chain reaction

noun
  • This is done using a technique called a polymerase chain reaction.
    — Helena Oliviero, ajc, 4 Dec. 2021
  • Most samples probably will go through what is known as a polymerase chain reaction test.
    — Dallas News, 1 Apr. 2020
  • Broadly, these tests all use a method called a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.
    — Katherine Ellen Foley, Quartz, 31 July 2020
  • They are often known as PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, tests.
    — Brieanna J. Frank, azcentral, 9 May 2020
  • The tests sold by the grocery stores are one of the most common types, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
    — Brittany Meiling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2020
  • Both antigen tests and polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests are used to test for covid-19.
    — Alex Golden, Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2021
  • The saliva test is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, so samples are sent to a lab to be tested.
    — Jackie Borchardt, The Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2020
  • DeWine said a rate combining the two is about 1 percentage point less than the rate for polymerase chain reaction tests only.
    — Briana Rice, The Enquirer, 21 Dec. 2020
  • The rapid tests are a valuable tool because of the speed of the results, but are less accurate than traditional polymerase chain reaction tests.
    — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 23 Feb. 2021
  • The tests work by growing large amounts of the virus using a reaction called the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.
    — Matthew Herper, STAT, 16 Apr. 2020
  • The standard way to detect a virus is using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
    — Julia Hollingsworth, CNN, 24 Mar. 2020
  • The standard polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests for the coronavirus home in on three segments of the virus genome.
    — Jason Douglas, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2020
  • Most countries prefer the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test; a few accept the rapid antigen test.
    — National Geographic, 20 Nov. 2020
  • The program will provide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at no cost to residents.
    — Janelle Jessen, Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2022
  • Anyone who tests positive then receives a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to confirm the first test.
    — Nathan Baird, cleveland, 30 Nov. 2020
  • Hogan said the state still has a sufficient supply of rapid tests and the more sensitive polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests.
    — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, 19 Jan. 2022
  • The polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test is considered to be the most accurate, but there are also rapid tests, some of which can be done at home.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2022
  • Molecular tests like the PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, test has been the most common test throughout the pandemic.
    — Dallas News, 10 Sep. 2020
  • If a rapid test result comes back positive, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is taken and sent to a state lab for testing for the variant.
    — Angie Jackson, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2021
  • The antigen tests are also cheaper than a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the results of which could take anywhere from a day up to a week to appear.
    — James Whitlow, baltimoresun.com, 2 Sep. 2020
  • Our primary method of testing has been through polymerase chain reaction [PCR], which provides results in eight to 10 hours.
    — Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2024
  • These tests are not as sensitive as polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing, which has been the main method of screening for Covid-19.
    — NBC News, 1 Apr. 2021
  • The cases added to state tallies included 155 that were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests.
    — Andy Davis, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2021
  • At the men’s event in Indiana, players are using a polymerase chain reaction — or PCR — test, which is considered the best test available.
    — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2021
  • The cases added to the state's tallies included 1,285 that were confirmed through polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests.
    — Andy Davis, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2020
  • Called digital droplet polymerase chain reaction, this process is amazing for its ability to detect multiple targets simultaneously.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Another is polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, which looks for fragments of the virus’ genetic material, typically in a blood sample.
    — Lauren Dunn, NBC news, 7 May 2026
  • Examples of tests include reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, viral culture and immunofluorescence assays.
    — Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers confirmed positive tests with laboratory polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, testing.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Common testing methods include reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, viral culture and immunofluorescence assays.
    — Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polymerase chain reaction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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