membranous
adjective
mem·bra·nous
ˈmem-brə-nəs 
1
: of, relating to, or resembling membrane
2
: thin, pliable, and often somewhat transparent
membranous leaves
3
: characterized or accompanied by the formation of a usually abnormal membrane or membranous layer
membranous croup
membranously
adverb
Examples of membranous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An experimental drone addresses that problem in a bio-inspired fashion, by extending flying-squirrel-like membranous wings as needed.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
The cicada bobblehead features prominent red eyes set wide apart, short antennae and membranous wings.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 June 2024
The tiny baby octopuses—each about the size of a nickel—emerged from soft, membranous eggs, clutched in their mothers’ protective embrace.
—Ashley Balzer Vigil, Scientific American, 3 July 2023
These ailments include myocarditis, neuromyelitis optica, primary membranous nephropathy and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
—Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
All three musicians came of age in the era of shuffling playlists and collapsing styles, when the boundaries between rock, folk, hip-hop, and electronic became so membranous that the categories began to lose meaning.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2023
Her dreams are red, membranous throbs.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 25 June 2021
Two Yi qi stretch their membranous wings.
—National Geographic, 15 Sep. 2020
When isolated and exposed to water, most phospholipids can self-assemble into membranous structures.
—Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2013
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Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
The cicada bobblehead features prominent red eyes set wide apart, short antennae and membranous wings.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 21 June 2024
The tiny baby octopuses—each about the size of a nickel—emerged from soft, membranous eggs, clutched in their mothers’ protective embrace.
—Ashley Balzer Vigil, Scientific American, 3 July 2023
These ailments include myocarditis, neuromyelitis optica, primary membranous nephropathy and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
—Maddie Bender, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2021
All three musicians came of age in the era of shuffling playlists and collapsing styles, when the boundaries between rock, folk, hip-hop, and electronic became so membranous that the categories began to lose meaning.
—Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2023
Her dreams are red, membranous throbs.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 25 June 2021
Two Yi qi stretch their membranous wings.
—National Geographic, 15 Sep. 2020
When isolated and exposed to water, most phospholipids can self-assemble into membranous structures.
—Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2013
Cite this Entry
“Membranous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/membranous. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
membranous
adjective
mem·bra·nous
ˈmem-brə-nəs
1
: of, relating to, or resembling membranes
a membranous lining
2
: characterized or accompanied by the formation of a usually abnormal membrane or membranous layer
membranous croup
membranously
adverb
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