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

On May 16, Faith shared an update on Instagram that her stem cell transplant is set to happen in about four weeks at the end of June. —Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Because these same stem cells also help build the hair strand, this decline can change your hair texture, too. —Brandi Jones, Health, 5 June 2026

NewLimit was founded in 2021 by Coinbase CEO and co-founder Brian Armstrong, former GV partner and bioengineer Blake Byers, and Kimmel, a stem cell biologist. —Allison Deangelis, STAT, 2 June 2026

Following a three-week shutdown for a stem cell injection, David Festa (right shoulder impingement) started a throwing program Monday. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 2 June 2026

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