microenvironment

noun

mi·​cro·​en·​vi·​ron·​ment ˌmī-krō-in-ˈvī-rən-mənt How to pronounce microenvironment (audio)
-ˈvī(-ə)rn-
: a small or relatively small usually distinctly specialized and effectively isolated habitat (such as a forest canopy) or environment (as of a neuron)
microenvironmental adjective

Examples of microenvironment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Factors other than mutation, such as epigenetic changes (alterations in how a gene is expressed) in a primary tumor cell—or the details of its microenvironment—were more likely to blame for metastasis. Jeffrey P. Townsend, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2018 Lastly, solid tumors possess an extensively inhospitable microenvironment for the T cells. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023 This has inspired scientists to create artificial organelles, or synthetic analogues, which create nano sized compartments within the cell with a unique microenvironment that can direct various cell functions, create new functions or correct dysfunctional process. Anna Powers, Forbes, 30 Aug. 2021 Environmental Influences The genes of the fetus direct much of the placenta's development, but the microenvironment surrounding the organ also plays a vital role. Adrian Erlebacher, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2017 Rodney Infante, $1.05 million for changes in tumor microenvironment that promote cachexia. Dallas News, 16 Feb. 2023 As the head of a lab at Madrid’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, del Pozo had been lead author on a 2011 article in the journal Cell about how a molecule called caveolin-1 changes the microenvironment around cancer cells. Adam Rogers, Wired, 7 Dec. 2021 Patient tumor, immune, and connective tissue cells quickly form miniature tumors that retain the original microenvironment within thousands of these MOS, which can be used for testing many drug conditions. Stephen Ibaraki, Forbes, 13 May 2022 Unlike cancers that begin in the blood, these types of cancers grow into a solid mass that produces a microenvironment of molecules, cells and structures that prevent T cells from entering into the tumor and triggering an immune response. Gregory Allen, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'microenvironment.' 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

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microenvironment was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near microenvironment

Cite this Entry

“Microenvironment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microenvironment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

microenvironment

noun
mi·​cro·​en·​vi·​ron·​ment -in-ˈvī-rən-mənt, -ˈvī(-ə)rn- How to pronounce microenvironment (audio)
: a small or relatively small usually distinctly specialized and effectively isolated habitat or environment (as of a nerve cell) see microhabitat
microenvironmental adjective

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