Definition of filament
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage (see appendage 2): such asa : a tenuous (see tenuous 2) conductor (as of carbon or metal) made incandescent by the passage of an electric current; specifically : a cathode (see cathode 2) in the form of a metal wire in an electron tubeb (1) : a thin and fine elongated constituent part of a gill (see 2gill 1) (2) : an elongated thin series of cells attached one to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some algae, fungi, or bacteria)c : the anther-bearing stalk of a stamen — see flower illustration
People Are Reading
Examples of filament in a Sentence
algae covered with tiny filaments
the cable was made up of fine filaments twisted together
Recent Examples of filament from the Web
-
On Saturday an AR-15 bullet was found inside one of the twisted heaps of filament, as was an old flip cellphone.
-
Semen has something in common with the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers: Both contain bundles of protein filaments called amyloid fibrils.
-
As the mycelium grows, the filaments fasten together and turn the fixture white, leaving behind scattered brown flecks that give the lampshades an earthy look.
-
Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulb is the most ubiquitous example, the wire being tungsten filament.
-
Big, bright galaxies sit inside the center of a galaxy cluster, which is inside a cluster of galaxy clusters, inside one of these filaments.
-
Manente and Stefano propose addressing the plastic waste 3D printers create by recycling 3D printed filament.
-
These voids are part of the large-scale structure of the universe , which looks sort of like a block of Swiss cheese, made up of dense filaments containing huge collections of galaxies surrounding relatively empty regions.
-
For the rest of us, at least those who aren't eager to seize any filament of possible malfeasance on the President's part, Comey's plight doesn't impress.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'filament.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of filament
Middle French, from Medieval Latin filamentum, from Late Latin filare to spin — more at file
Other Biology Terms
FILAMENT Defined for English Language Learners
filament
playDefinition of filament for English Language Learners
-
: a thin thread or hair
-
: a thin wire in a light bulb that glows when electricity passes through it
FILAMENT Defined for Kids
filament
playDefinition of filament for Students
1 : a fine thread a filament of silk
2 : a fine wire (as in a light bulb) that is made to glow by the passage of an electric current
3 : the stalk of a plant stamen that bears the anther
Medical Dictionary
filament
playMedical Definition of filament
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage; especially : an elongated thin series of cells attached one to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some algae, fungi, or bacteria)
Learn More about filament
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for filament Spanish Central: Translation of filament Nglish: Translation of filament for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of filament for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up filament? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!