vacuole

noun

vac·​u·​ole ˈva-kyə-ˌwōl How to pronounce vacuole (audio)
1
: a small cavity or space in the tissues of an organism containing air or fluid
2
: a cavity or vesicle in the cytoplasm of a cell usually containing fluid see cell illustration
vacuolar
ˌva-kyə-ˈwō-lər How to pronounce vacuole (audio)
-ˌlär
adjective

Examples of vacuole 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.
This is unlike adipocytes, which, in obesity, will fill their lipid vacuoles and grow in size or empty them and shrink during periods of starvation. — New Atlas, 30 Jan. 2025 Increasing the acidity inside the vacuole may decrease it outside the vacuole, causing enzymes there to work faster and wear out sooner, which may also help explain the higher death rate among these altered cells. — Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 18 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, probably borrowed from New Latin vacuolum "little vacuum," from Medieval Latin vacuum vacuum entry 1 + Latin -olum, variant of -ulum -ule with stems ending in a vowel

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vacuole was in 1853

Phrases Containing vacuole

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Cite this Entry

“Vacuole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vacuole. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

vacuole

noun
vac·​u·​ole ˈvak-yə-ˌwōl How to pronounce vacuole (audio)
: a cavity in bodily tissues or in the cytoplasm of a cell that is usually filled with fluid
vacuolar
ˌvak-yə-ˈwō-lər How to pronounce vacuole (audio)
-ˌlär
adjective

Medical Definition

vacuole

noun
vac·​u·​ole ˈvak-yə-ˌwōl How to pronounce vacuole (audio)
1
: a small cavity or space in the tissues of an organism containing air or fluid
2
: a cavity or vesicle in the cytoplasm of a cell containing fluid

More from Merriam-Webster on vacuole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vacuole

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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