hair cell

noun

: a cell with hairlike processes
especially : one of the sensory cells in the auditory epithelium of the organ of Corti

Examples of hair cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The loops inside the inner ear, called semicircular canals, can sense these movements using fluid and hair cells. Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024 With many of the other mutations that cause deafness, hair cells die during infancy or even at the fetal stage. Gina Kolata, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 Sound sets off a wave of fluid in the cochlea and stimulates the hair cells to transmit signals to the brain. Gina Kolata, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 Hearing is a complex process that involves thousands of sensory hair cells in the inner ear. WIRED, 20 Oct. 2023 Chickens, as well as certain other birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, can indefinitely regenerate their hearing by producing new hair cells inside the cochlea, the cavity of the inner ear responsible for interpreting sound. Ramsha Zubairi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023 Many genetic mutations linked to deafness cause the hair cells in the inner ear to die, but OTOF mutations leave these cells intact. WIRED, 20 Oct. 2023 What many people do not know is that exposure to loud sounds over time can damage the tiny hair cells of the inner ear. Cory Portnuff, Discover Magazine, 29 Sep. 2023 Red light reduces inflammation and increases energy in our skin and hair cells. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 4 Aug. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hair cell was circa 1890

Dictionary Entries Near hair cell

Cite this Entry

“Hair cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair%20cell. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

hair cell

noun
: a cell with hairlike processes
especially : one of the sensory cells in the auditory epithelium of the organ of Corti

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