cell wall

noun

: the usually rigid nonliving permeable wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae see cell illustration

Examples of cell wall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Genes for making cell walls reverted to a formula found in algae. —David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026

Vinegar contains acetic acid, which acts as a contact herbicide and breaks down the weed’s cell walls and removes moisture. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

Authorities say surveillance footage of the cell showed that the legal papers were neatly stacked and no human excrement lined the cell walls. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026

For example, accurate calorie counts are particularly difficult to calculate for plant foods, which have cell walls that can be heard for teeth to break through, since chewing is the first phase of digestion, Moyer said. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cell wall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

cell wall

noun

: the firm nonliving layer that encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae

Medical Definition

cell wall

noun

: the usually rigid nonliving permeable wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae