membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce membrane (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The mitochondrion is a pretty little thing under the microscope, a neat lozenge containing a labyrinth of membranes. Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024 Later that day, the scientists inject the edited pig skin cells inside the eggs' outer membrane. Rob Stein, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ clinical guidelines for managing pre-labor rupture of membranes, in which a patient’s water breaks before labor begins, state that women should be offered options, including ending the pregnancy. Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 As people age, the membranes surrounding neurons, or brain cells, start to deteriorate. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 18 Jan. 2024 The ocular microbiome is rich in microorganisms, especially on the conjunctival membrane. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Periosteum is the thin membrane that surrounds bone and holds blood vessels and nerves, helping bones to grow as animals — and people — get older. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024 Mike’s hot honey (about 2 to 4 tablespoons) EAT Barbecue IPO Sauce Remove the membrane from the bottom of the ribs. Kathy Mooreand, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 There's an outer membrane, which contains LPS, and an inner membrane made of peptidoglycan, a large polymer that forms a rigid mesh scaffold around the bacterial cytoplasm. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'membrane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of membrane was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near membrane

Cite this Entry

“Membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/membrane. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

membrane

noun
mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce membrane (audio)
: a thin soft flexible sheet or layer especially of a plant or animal part (as a cell, tissue, or organ)
membranous
ˈmem-brə-nəs
adjective

Medical Definition

membrane

noun
mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce membrane (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on membrane

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