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

The system consists of a flexible latex membrane filled with ground coffee and attached to a robotic arm. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

The leftover brine is treated with the bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED) process that uses electricity and specialized membranes to split the ultra-salty solution into acidic and alkaline streams. — New Atlas, 27 July 2026

Lining the outer cell membrane, at the base of the cilia, were simple structures, each encircled by a single membrane. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

Even a small fragment of placenta or membrane can prevent the uterus from contracting properly, failing to squeeze shut the great vessels that have spent 40 weeks surging with blood to feed a growing baby. — Mara Evans, STAT, 27 July 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