extracellular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cel·​lu·​lar ˌek-strə-ˈsel-yə-lər 

: situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body

extracellular digestion

extracellular enzymes

extracellularly adverb

Examples of extracellular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lungs contain a structural framework called the extracellular matrix, which is where lung cells live, the researchers explained. — Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Supporting the fat cells in the formula is a proprietary stew of extracellular matrix proteins. — Jolene Edgar, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025

Exosome therapy Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles that are secreted by cells and act as messengers for cell-to-cell communications. — Phoebe Quinton, AJC.com, 1 June 2026

But antibiotics also place bacteria under stress, and that stress can cause bacteria to release more extracellular vesicles carrying inflammatory molecules. — Panteha Torabian, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for extracellular

• intercellular
• intracellular
• multicellular
• unicellular
• acellular
• subcellular
• cellular
• hepatocellular

Kids Definition

extracellular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cel·​lu·​lar ˌek-strə-ˈsel-yə-lər 

: situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body

Medical Definition

extracellular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cel·​lu·​lar ˌek-strə-ˈsel-yə-lər 

: situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body

extracellular digestion

extracellular enzymes

extracellularly adverb