filament

noun

fil·a·ment | \ ˈfi-lə-mənt

Definition of filament

: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage (see appendage sense 2): such as

a : a tenuous (see tenuous sense 2) conductor (as of carbon or metal) made incandescent by the passage of an electric current specifically : a cathode (see cathode sense 2) in the form of a metal wire in an electron tube

b(1) : a thin and fine elongated constituent part of a gill (see gill entry 2 sense 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

Other Words from filament Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About filament

Other Words from filament

filamentary \ ˌfi-lə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē

\ adjective

filamentous \ ˌfi-lə-ˈmen-təs

\ adjective

Examples of filament in a Sentence

algae covered with tiny filaments the cable was made up of fine filaments twisted together

Recent Examples on the Web This is a filament that hangs off the back of a fishing boat. — Lela Nargi, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022 While all this has been happening, another filament of moisture-laden air will have formed over the Pacific and hurtled toward California. — New York Times, 12 Aug. 2022 The kit enables the company's desktop-size Epsilon printer to also handle metal filament and produce small metal parts. — Carolyn Schwaar, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2021 The system shreds plastic bottles into strips that are fed into an extruder, which melts them into strands that can be reused as filament in 3D printers. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 Heat guns actually operate very similarly to a hair dryer, using a fan that blows air over a heated filament. — Camryn Rabideau, Popular Mechanics, 16 June 2022 Where traditional tungsten filament incandescent lightbulbs have an efficiency of just 5 percent, GaN LED bulbs can reach 60 percent efficiency. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2022 The Snow Lion used continuous fiber filament Polarguard insulation that kept warmth evenly distributed. — Andrew Freeman, Outside Online, 21 May 2012 Craigie focuses on the filament, creating latticework songs with precise details that strike the listener like a pinprick. — Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 1 June 2022 See More

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.

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Dictionary Entries Near filament

filagree

filament

filament battery

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Last Updated

23 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 27 Sep. 2022.

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More Definitions for filament

filament

noun

fil·a·ment | \ ˈfi-lə-mənt

Kids Definition of filament

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

filament

noun

fil·a·ment | \ ˈfil-ə-mənt

Medical 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)