HeLa cell

noun

: a cell of a continuously cultured strain isolated from a human uterine cervical carcinoma in 1951 and used in biomedical research especially to culture viruses

Examples of HeLa cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn’t compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine. CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026 HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn't compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine. CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn't compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine. ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026 Those cells, called HeLa cells, became the first immortal human cell line and have been used ever since in countless scientific breakthroughs, including vaccine development and cancer research. Akilah Weber Pierson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for HeLa cell

Word History

Etymology

Henrietta Lacks †1951 patient from whom the cells were taken

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of HeLa cell was in 1953

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Cite this Entry

“HeLa cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HeLa%20cell. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Medical Definition

hela cell

noun
often capitalized H & 1st L
: a cell of a continuously cultured strain isolated from a human uterine cervical carcinoma in 1951 and used in biomedical research especially to culture viruses
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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