cell membrane

noun

plural cell membranes
: a membrane of a cell
especially : a semipermeable limiting layer of cell protoplasm consisting of a fluid phospholipid bilayer with intercalated proteins : plasma membrane
Despite being much maligned in the popular press, cholesterol plays a crucial role in organizing cell membranes and controlling their physical properties. — Amanda Yarnell
… a cascade of reactions culminating in the transfer of a phosphate group to a protein complex that carries ions across the cell membrane. — Science News

Examples of cell membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That includes things like the lipids in our cell membranes, the nucleotides that encode our genes, the amino acids that build most of the working bits of our cells, and other molecules built around bonds between carbon and nitrogen atoms. — Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Magnesium is needed to transport potassium and calcium across cell membranes and maintain normal heart rhythms. — Jennifer Lefton, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025 When exposed to ultrasound at the target site, these bubbles temporarily create tiny pores in the BBB’s cell membrane, allowing drugs to pass through. — Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025 Olive oil and cell membranes are composed of the same oily molecules, called fatty acids. — Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2018 See All Example Sentences for cell membrane

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cell membrane was in 1840

Rhymes for cell membrane

See All Rhymes for cell membrane

Browse Nearby Words

cell-mediated
cell membrane
cello
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cell membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20membrane. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

cell membrane

noun
: a semipermeable outside layer surrounding the contents of a cell

Medical Definition

cell membrane

noun
: a membrane of a cell
especially : plasma membrane
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All