membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

1

: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin

2

: a piece of parchment forming part of a roll

membraned

ˈmem-ˌbrānd 

adjective

Examples of membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If this happens, your skin, mucus membranes, and whites of the eyes can turn yellow. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 3 Aug. 2025

The new fabric features a membrane, a backer underneath and a face fabric on the top. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Causes of Sneezing Sneezing is caused by the irritation of the mucus membranes in the nose or throat. —Valerie Cacho, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025

About 1 in 150 people who are infected develop a serious illness that affects the central nervous system, such as inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, the release said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin membrana skin, parchment, from membrum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing membrane

• basement membrane
• basilar membrane
• cell membrane
• embryonic membrane
• fertilization membrane
• inter-membrane
• mucous membrane
• nictitating membrane
• nuclear membrane
• periodontal membrane
• plasma membrane
• serous membrane
• tympanic membrane
• unit membrane
• vitelline membrane

Rhymes for membrane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

: a thin soft flexible sheet or layer especially of a plant or animal part (as a cell, tissue, or organ)

membranous

ˈmem-brə-nəs

adjective

Medical Definition

membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

1

: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin

2

: a limiting protoplasmic surface or interface see nuclear membrane, plasma membrane

membraned

ˈmem-ˌbrānd 

adjective