cellulose

noun

cel·​lu·​lose ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs 

-ˌlōz

: a polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x of glucose units that constitutes the chief part of the cell walls of plants, occurs naturally in such fibrous products as cotton and kapok, and is the raw material of many manufactured goods (such as paper, rayon, and cellophane)

Examples of cellulose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like cellulose, it is not easily degraded and decomposes slowly. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025

When trees inhale carbon, some of it is used to build complex structural molecules like cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. —Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

Tea bags found on grocery store shelves are made from a variety of materials, including plant fibers like cellulose, wood, and hemp, flexible plastics like nylon and polypropylene, and biodegradable plastics. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Feb. 2025

Wood consists of three main components: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from cellule living cell, from New Latin cellula

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cellulose

• cellulose acetate
• cellulose nitrate
• ethyl cellulose
• regenerated cellulose

Rhymes for cellulose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• centavos
• comatose
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose
• levulose
• overdose
• ribulose

Kids Definition

cellulose

noun

cel·​lu·​lose ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs 

: a complex carbohydrate that is the chief part of the cell walls of plants and is commonly obtained as a white stringy substance from vegetable matter (as wood or cotton) which is used in making various products (as rayon and paper)

cellulosic

ˌsel-yə-ˈlō-sik

adjective

Medical Definition

cellulose

noun

cel·​lu·​lose ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs, -ˌlōz 

: a polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x of glucose units that constitutes the chief part of the cell walls of plants, occurs naturally in such fibrous products as cotton and kapok, and is the raw material of many manufactured goods (as paper, rayon, and cellophane)