pluripotent

adjective

plu·​rip·​o·​tent plu̇-ˈri-pə-tənt 

: not fixed as to developmental potentialities

especially : capable of differentiating into one of many cell types

pluripotent stem cells

Examples of pluripotent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, the team got to work and became the first to turn pluripotent stem cells into hindbrain motor neurons in a lab. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

Applying the full reprogramming process to an adult organism would be dangerous because the resulting pluripotent cells could form tumors known as teratomas. — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Brenners is one of only two clinics in Germany legally permitted to perform pluripotent stem-cell treatments, yet because of my age, aggressive longevity interventions never seriously enter the conversation. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026

Advances in iPS cells have reduced many of these concerns by providing an alternative source of pluripotent cells. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin plur-, plus more + English potent

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pluripotent

• potent

Medical Definition

pluripotent

adjective

plu·​rip·​o·​tent plu̇-ˈrip-ət-ənt 

1

: not fixed as to developmental potentialities

especially : capable of differentiating into one of many cell types

pluripotent stem cells

2

: capable of having more than one effect

pluripotent activity