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

One of his sons hid the gem in the crack of his cell wall before he was blinded and deposed. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

This sudden removal meant that Sade could not retrieve his novel, which was still hidden in his cell wall. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Those larger crystals can damage cell walls, often leading to a mushier texture once the food is thawed. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2026

Beta-carotene, found in orange and yellow vegetables like carrots and pumpkin, is a good example—the body converts it to vitamin A, and that conversion becomes more efficient once the vegetable’s cell walls have broken down. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 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