: a membranous area bounded by veins in the wing of an insect
4
: a small usually microscopic mass of protoplasm bounded externally by a semipermeable membrane, usually including one or more nuclei and various other organelles with their products, capable alone or interacting with other cells of performing all the fundamental functions of life, and forming the smallest structural unit of living matter capable of functioning independently
5
a(1)
: a receptacle containing electrodes and an electrolyte either for generating electricity by chemical action or for use in electrolysis
: a single unit in a device for converting radiant energy into electrical energy or for varying the intensity of an electrical current in accordance with radiation (see radiationsense 1)
6
: a unit in a statistical array (see arrayentry 2 sense 5) (such as a spreadsheet) formed by the intersection of a column and a row
7
: a basic and usually small unit of an organization or movement
terrorist cells
8
: a portion of the atmosphere that behaves as a unit
a storm cell
9
a
: any of the small sections of a geographic area of a cellular (see cellularentry 1 sense 3) telephone system
The suspect was in the police station's holding cell overnight.
his mission was to locate and infiltrate the terrorist cell that was believed to be hiding in the city
Recent Examples on the WebThe vastness of the stage, with its lofty view of a noisily appreciative crowd, gives way to the confines of a cell, so hushed and sealed off that it might as well be buried underground.—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 July 2024 This resulted in an overabundance of disease-promoting cells attacking the body.—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024 Turning on a ‘molecular switch’ to treat lupus There’s essentially a double disadvantage with lupus: Patients have lower levels of helpful immune cells and higher levels of damage-promoting ones.—Elaine Chen Reprints, STAT, 11 July 2024 Zooming in further, scientists found that chromosomes in each cell were still organized into clear territories, giving experts insight into which genes were switched on and off while the mammoth was alive.—Lizette Ortega, Washington Post, 11 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cell
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English, religious house and Anglo-French celle hermit's cell, from Latin cella small room; akin to Latin celare to conceal — more at hell
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of cell was
before the 12th century
: a very small room (as in a convent or prison) usually for one person
2
: a small compartment, cavity, or bounded space
the cells in a honeycomb often contain honey
3
: one of the tiny units that are the basic building blocks of living things, that carry on the basic functions of life either alone or in groups, and that include a nucleus and are surrounded by a membrane
4
a
: a container (as a jar) with electrodes and an electrolyte either for generating electricity by chemical action or for use in electrolysis
b
: a single unit in a device for changing radiant energy into electrical energy
: a small usually microscopic mass of protoplasm bounded externally by a semipermeable membrane, usually including one or more nuclei and various nonliving products, capable alone or interacting with other cells of performing all the fundamental functions of life, and forming the smallest structural unit of living matter capable of functioning independently
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