glial

adjective

gli·​al ˈglē-əl How to pronounce glial (audio) ˈglī- How to pronounce glial (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting glia
glial cells

Examples of glial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Neurons and glial cells are like dance partners in the brain, coordinating moves that shape how signals flow and how excitable neurons become. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2025 The brain injury caused cerebral atrophy and a glial scar, which led to the boy's brain being significantly undeveloped, according to court documents. Arkansas Online, 25 Aug. 2025 This led to a new understanding of how glial cells—non-neuronal cells long thought to be passive—actively shape psychiatric symptoms. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 Nor was there any change in glial fibrillary acidic protein, or GFAP, another blood biomarker that seems to correlate reasonably well with Alzheimer’s disease. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for glial

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glial was in 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Glial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glial. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

glial

adjective
: of, relating to, or comprising glia
glial cells
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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