tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈti-(ˌ)shü 

chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü

1

: a piece of soft absorbent tissue paper used especially as a handkerchief or for removing cosmetics

2

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal

3

a

: a fine lightweight often sheer fabric

b

: mesh, network, web

a tissue of lies

tissuey

ˈti-shə-wē 

adjective

Examples of tissue in a Sentence

She wiped her nose with a tissue.

a sample of brain tissue

The drug can damage the body's tissues.

a box wrapped in tissue

Recent Examples on the Web

The projectile took a path through tissue and muscle but avoided vital organs and left the back of his neck, Gross testified earlier in the trial, which began last week. —Emerson Clarridge updated March 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2026

Costco also reduced prices on Kirkland Signature products like butter, facial tissue, organic seaweed, and organic coconut water. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026

In the way that Kleenex has become interchangeable with tissue, McCarthyism, for many, is an eponym for the unjust, reprehensible use of political power. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026

Unlike endometriosis, wherein endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, adenomyosis occurs within the uterine wall itself. —L'oreal Thompson Payton, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tysshewe, tyssew, a rich fabric, from Anglo-French tissue, from past participle of tistre to weave, from Latin texere — more at technical

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing tissue

• adipose tissue
• bathroom tissue
• connective tissue
• granulation tissue
• permanent tissue
• scar tissue
• tissue culture
• tissue fluid
• tissue of lies
• tissue paper
• tissue plasminogen activator
• vascular tissue
• woven a tissue of lies

Rhymes for tissue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈtish-ü 

1

: a fine lightweight fabric

2

: a piece of soft absorbent paper

3

: a mass or layer of cells usually of one kind together with the uniting or enclosing substance around and between them that form the basic structural materials of a plant or an animal compare connective tissue

Medical Definition

tissue

noun

tis·​sue

ˈtish-(ˌ)ü, ˈtish-ə(-w), chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue