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

But still, the heart has kind of a membrane around it, to keep the blood pressure equal or something — that’s what someone told me. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026

The problem is that HyperX has priced the keyboard in a segment where buyers are increasingly comparing membrane and mechanical products side by side, and where the price gap to a mechanical board has narrowed to almost nothing. — Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026

Decarbonizing heavy industries Green hydrogen currently accounts for less than one percent of total global hydrogen production due to high energy demands and expensive membrane materials (often relying on rare metals like iridium and platinum). — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026

This technique, called electroporation, creates temporary, tiny pores in a cell's outer membrane, allowing genetic material to enter and integrate into the hookworm eggs. — Jay Kakade august 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026

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