stem cell

noun

: an unspecialized cell that gives rise to differentiated cells

hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow

Examples of stem cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This liquid exfoliating treatment is powered by extracts from 100,000 apple stem cells to visibly refine pores and smooth skin texture, achieving a radiant, just-polished look. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 Sep. 2025

This development was detected by stem cell-tracking nanobioreactor systems placed in SpaceX commercial resupply missions to the International Space Station, according to a news release. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025

While far from a cure, the study points to a new path that combines advanced manufacturing, stem cell science, and regenerative medicine. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2025

The good news is that stem cells can recover from the accelerated aging once an astronaut returns to Earth, according to preliminary results from a separate, upcoming study, although the recovery takes about a year. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stem cell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

stem cell

noun

: a simple cell that can become a cell (as a blood cell or skin cell) with a special function

Medical Definition

stem cell

noun

ˈstem- 

: an unspecialized cell capable of perpetuating itself through cell division and having the potential to give rise to differentiated cells with specialized functions

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst stage of the embryo.

—Carrie J. Merkle, in Essentials of Pathophysiology

… picture the bone marrow as a blood cell factory that takes a single type of precursor cell, or stem cell, and modifies it in various ways to produce all the cells that circulate in the blood.

—Gina Kolata, Discover

Recent observations are providing increasing evidence for the concept that adult stem cells are part of a natural system for tissue repair.

—Darwin J. Prockop, in Essentials of Stem Cell Biology