: a small filament or fiber: such as
a
b(1)
: one of the fine threads into which a striated muscle fiber can be longitudinally split
(2)
Examples of fibril in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The latter allow the nanoparticles to bind to and destroy harmful α-synuclein fibrils, while the former specifically target a temperature-sensitive receptor in dopamine-producing neurons that are in turn stimulated by the gold nanoshells, which translate the laser light into heat.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Similar processes might underlie the development of protein aggregates tied to other neurodegenerative disorders, such as the amyloid fibrils found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease or the synuclein protein deposits implicated in Parkinson’s disease.
—Trevor Grandpre, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that produce abnormal proteins called amyloid fibrils that can block and damage glomeruli.
—Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024
Cryo-electron microscopy has now uncovered fibrils of an unexpected protein.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
This diagram shows how gold ions adhere to a sponge of protein fibrils, in order to separate the gold from other elements.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2024
Misfolded proteins start to clump together into small aggregates, then bigger chains called fibrils, and finally into huge, rectangular structures called amyloid.
—Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023
Finally, there is convincing evidence that the most readily detectable form of amyloid, known as a fibril, is not the worst type.
—Sam Gandy, STAT, 17 June 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Similar processes might underlie the development of protein aggregates tied to other neurodegenerative disorders, such as the amyloid fibrils found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease or the synuclein protein deposits implicated in Parkinson’s disease.
—Trevor Grandpre, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024
Amyloidosis is a group of diseases that produce abnormal proteins called amyloid fibrils that can block and damage glomeruli.
—Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024
Cryo-electron microscopy has now uncovered fibrils of an unexpected protein.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
This diagram shows how gold ions adhere to a sponge of protein fibrils, in order to separate the gold from other elements.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Mar. 2024
Misfolded proteins start to clump together into small aggregates, then bigger chains called fibrils, and finally into huge, rectangular structures called amyloid.
—Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023
Finally, there is convincing evidence that the most readily detectable form of amyloid, known as a fibril, is not the worst type.
—Sam Gandy, STAT, 17 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Fibril.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fibril. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
: a small filament or fiber: as
a
: one of the fine threads into which a striated muscle fiber can be longitudinally split
b
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share