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

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Other Words from filament

filamentary \ ˌfi-lə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē

\ adjective

filamentous \ ˌfi-lə-ˈmen-təs

\ adjective

Synonyms for filament

Synonyms

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 Or Lewis Latimer, who created the longer-lasting carbon filament for light bulbs? — Robert L. Woodson Sr., National Review, 23 July 2021 The strength of the rotation signal is directly dependent on the viewing angle and the dynamical state of the filament. — Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 15 June 2021 Parrott crouched down beside it in order to refill it with plastic filament. — New York Times, 12 May 2021 But what happened instead was a whimper: the hot plasma cap simply lifted off gently, creating a wide version of a weak jet, while the cooler prominence utterly failed to erupt at all, simply draining back along the filament to the solar surface. — Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 8 June 2021 The upper-arm sensors, which have a tiny filament that measures glucose in the fluid between your cells, cost $70 and last 14 days; the device to apply them costs $75. — Katie Palmer, STAT, 18 Apr. 2021 Its leather uppers were created in a lab from the spiderweb-like filament structure that mushrooms use to grow. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2021 Super bright and energy-efficiency: 2W led Shaped filament Led bulbs equals to 15W incandescent bulb, with 200LM high brightness. — Maren Estrada, BGR, 14 Apr. 2021 There is a mournful chord and an existential shiver in all of her art — life hanging by a filament, mixed with the will to survive. — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2021

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

Statistics for filament

Last Updated

30 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 4 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for filament

filament

noun

English Language Learners Definition of filament

: a thin thread or hair

: a thin wire in a light bulb that glows when electricity passes through it

See the full definition for filament in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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)