tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈti-(ˌ)shü 

 chiefly British  ˈtis-(ˌ)yü

1

: a piece of soft absorbent tissue paper used especially as a handkerchief or for removing cosmetics

2

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal

3

a

: a fine lightweight often sheer fabric

b

: mesh, network, web

a tissue of lies

tissuey

ˈti-shə-wē 

adjective

Examples of tissue in a Sentence

She wiped her nose with a tissue.

a sample of brain tissue

The drug can damage the body's tissues.

a box wrapped in tissue

Recent Examples on the Web

Her solution: an array of temporary-tattoo-like decals said to contain particle-size vitamins and supplements, designed to pass through the skin and tissue and into the bloodstream. —Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2024

Breathing in microscopic pollutants sends them deep into the lung tissue. —Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024

However, Watson said that at least one cow headed to slaughter has now been found with signs of the virus in its lung tissue. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024

Yet a 2014 study found that progesterone receptors are also found in most meningiomas — a type of tumor, usually benign, that grows from the outer layers of tissue surrounding the brain. —Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

After further study of his tissues and organs, several of those threats were found to have affected Flaco. —Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Apr. 2024

The light estimates the oxygen saturation of the blood flowing through that tissue. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 16 Apr. 2024

My symptom was the most common symptom in soft tissue sarcoma. —Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

To create one model, Epic’s researchers gave an actor a full-body MRI, to scan his bones and muscles, then put him on a stage surrounded by several hundred cameras to capture the enveloping tissue. —Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tysshewe, tyssew, a rich fabric, from Anglo-French tissue, from past participle of tistre to weave, from Latin texere — more at technical

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing tissue

• adipose tissue
• bathroom tissue
• connective tissue
• granulation tissue
• permanent tissue
• scar tissue
• tissue culture
• tissue fluid
• tissue of lies
• tissue paper
• tissue plasminogen activator
• vascular tissue
• woven a tissue of lies

Kids Definition

tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈtish-ü 

1

: a fine lightweight fabric

2

: a piece of soft absorbent paper

3

: a mass or layer of cells usually of one kind together with the uniting or enclosing substance around and between them that form the basic structural materials of a plant or an animal compare connective tissue

Medical Definition

tissue

noun

tis·​sue

ˈtish-(ˌ)ü, ˈtish-ə(-w), chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue