Primary transcript is a term used in molecular biology to describe RNA molecules that are newly synthesized from DNA templates. There are several other synonyms used to describe primary transcript include pre-mRNA, precursor mRNA, heterogeneous nuclear RNA, and nascent RNA. These different synonyms originate from the complexity of the transcription process and the fact that primary transcripts undergo various modifications to become functional messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that can be translated into proteins. While the term primary transcript captures the raw RNA product of transcription, the other synonyms, such as pre-mRNA emphasize the fact that mRNA undergoes additional processing steps before becoming mature mRNA. These terms are important in understanding different aspects of RNA biology, gene expression, and regulation.