membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

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

ˈmem-ˌbrānd 

adjective

Examples of membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even if a harvester can outgas regolith reliably, separating minute traces of helium-3 from helium-4 and other gases at low mass fractions requires sophisticated cryogenic or membrane systems. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025

The secret involved one of RSV’s surface proteins, the F protein, which allows the virus to fuse its viral membrane with the cell membrane. —Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025

The illness can infect your meninges, which are the membranes that cover one’s brain and spinal cord, and blood. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025

Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 18 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing membrane

• basement membrane
• basilar membrane
• cell membrane
• embryonic membrane
• fertilization membrane
• inter-membrane
• mucous membrane
• nictitating membrane
• nuclear membrane
• periodontal membrane
• plasma membrane
• serous membrane
• tympanic membrane
• unit membrane
• vitelline membrane

Rhymes for membrane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

: 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 

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

ˈmem-ˌbrānd 

adjective