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

Because they are derived from patient-specific stem cells, researchers can create personalized versions that reflect an individual’s genetic makeup. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025

The team is also investigating whether cysteine could stimulate hair follicle regeneration, with plans to further explore other amino acids that appear to influence stem cell regeneration. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025

Then they were given a transplant of their own hematopoietic stem cells, genetically modified with a lentiviral vector to deliver a functional copy of the ADA gene to their blood-forming stem cells. —New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025

Formed by directing stem cell growth in a lab, brain organoids function as miniature models of the mind that scientists can use as a proxy for studying the human brain. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 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