membrane

noun mem·brane \ ˈmem-ˌbrān \

Definition of membrane

1 : a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin

2 : a piece of parchment forming part of a roll

—

membraned

play \ˈmem-ˌbrānd\ adjective

See membrane defined for English-language learners

See membrane defined for kids

Recent Examples of membrane from the Web

Within a few days of waking up, the bats’ immune systems will kick in and slough off as much as half their wing membranes, leaving them unable to fly and feed themselves.

— joe barrett, WSJ, "Hunt to Save Bats From White-Nose Syndrome Gets Funding," 24 Oct. 2017
That membrane was then placed on a source of nutrients, allowing the bacteria to grow into colonies.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "The E in E. coli now stands for electronics," 13 Oct. 2017
So Dioxide Materials set about making a durable and cheap plastic membrane that could serve the same function when laid atop a silver electrode.

— robert service, Science | AAAS, "Two new ways to turn ‘garbage’ carbon dioxide into fuel," 1 Sep. 2017
Working over a medium bowl, cut along sides of membranes to release segments.

— chris morocco, Bon Appetit, "Soy-Sauce-and-Citrus-Marinated Chicken," 19 Mar. 2017
He was diagnosed several years ago with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancerous tumor that has spread to his head, including on the membrane between his skull and his brain, his family says.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Nine-year-old Jacob Thompson may not live until Christmas. So strangers are sending him an early holiday.," 5 Nov. 2017
Researchers also found that some cells produced membrane vesicles, which allow cells to communicate with one another—potentially to initiate the infection process.

— hannah osborne, Newsweek, "Bacteria Shapeshifts in Space to Defend Itself From Antibiotics—and That’s Bad News for Future Astronauts," 14 Sep. 2017
According to a report in the Miami Herald, part of the membrane that covers the roof was peeled away by the high winds.

— kevin spain, USA TODAY, "Marlins Park suffers roof damage during Hurricane Irma," 11 Sep. 2017
On Sunday morning, the Heat’s practice facility at AmericanAirlines Arena sustained exterior membrane damage, according to WPLG Channel 10.

— shandel richardson, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Miami Heat's arena sustains minor roof damage caused by Hurricane Irma, report says," 10 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'membrane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of membrane

Middle English, from Latin membrana skin, parchment, from membrum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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MEMBRANE Defined for English Language Learners

membrane

noun

Definition of membrane for English Language Learners

: a thin sheet or layer; especially : a thin sheet or layer of tissue that is part of a plant or an animal's body

MEMBRANE Defined for Kids

membrane

noun mem·brane \ ˈmem-ˌbrān \

Definition of membrane for Students

: a thin soft flexible layer especially of animal or plant tissue

mucous membranes

Medical Dictionary

membrane

noun mem·brane \ ˈmem-ˌbrān \

medical Definition of membrane

1 : a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin

2 : a limiting protoplasmic surface or interface — see nuclear membrane, plasma membrane

—

membraned

play \ˈmem-ˌbrānd\ adjective

Learn More about membrane

Spanish Central: Translation of membrane Nglish: Translation of membrane for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of membrane for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about membrane

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membrane

Definition of membrane

membraned

Recent Examples of membrane from the Web

Origin and Etymology of membrane

MEMBRANE Defined for English Language Learners

membrane

Definition of membrane for English Language Learners

MEMBRANE Defined for Kids

membrane

Definition of membrane for Students

Medical Dictionary

membrane

medical Definition of membrane

membraned

Learn More about membrane

Seen and Heard

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