filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfi-lə-mənt 
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage (see appendage sense 2): such as
a
: a tenuous (see tenuous sense 2) conductor (as of carbon or metal) made incandescent by the passage of an electric current
specifically
: a cathode (see cathode sense 2) in the form of a metal wire in an electron tube
b(1)
: a thin and fine elongated constituent part of a gill (see gill entry 2 sense 1)
(2)
: an elongated thin series of cells attached one to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some algae, fungi, or bacteria)
c
: the anther-bearing stalk of a stamen see flower illustration
Examples of filament in a Sentence
algae covered with tiny filaments
the cable was made up of fine filaments twisted together
Recent Examples on the Web
Prominences are filaments of plasma and magnetic field extending from the sun, which right now — close to solar maximum — are a daily sight in H-alpha.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Hot-glue each insect to a length of fishing line and use invisible tape to attach the opposite end of the filament to the inside of the cloche.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
The shoe outsole is placed onto a robotic arm which rotates while the spray releases a single continuous string of thermoplastic filament.
—Tim Genske, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Enlarge / Artist's conception of a dark matter filament containing a galaxy with large jets.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filament 
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Jamie Carter, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Hot-glue each insect to a length of fishing line and use invisible tape to attach the opposite end of the filament to the inside of the cloche.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
The shoe outsole is placed onto a robotic arm which rotates while the spray releases a single continuous string of thermoplastic filament.
—Tim Genske, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024
Enlarge / Artist's conception of a dark matter filament containing a galaxy with large jets.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filament
Articles Related to filament
Dictionary Entries Near filament
Cite this Entry
“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfil-ə-mənt
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or part: as
a
: a wire (as in a light bulb) that is made to glow by the passage of an electric current
b
: a long chain of cells (as of some bacteria or algae)
c
: the anther-bearing stalk of a plant stamen
Medical Definition
filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfil-ə-mənt
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage
especially
: an elongated thin series of cells attached one to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some algae, fungi, or bacteria)
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