cell
sehl
Cell (noun) means the smallest basic unit of a living organism, capable of growing and reproducing itself. Example: “Each cell in a leaf contains tiny structures that capture sunlight.”
noun
1
The smallest basic unit of a living organism, capable of growing and reproducing itself.
"Each cell in a leaf contains tiny structures that capture sunlight."
"The human body contains trillions of cells."
"Under the microscope, students could see individual plant cells."
2
A small locked room in a prison or police station.
"The guard locked the door of the cell and walked away."
"He spent the night in a holding cell."
"The prisoners were led back to their cells."
3
A device that stores electrical energy, used alone or grouped into a battery.
"Solar torches often use a rechargeable cell that needs replacing after a few years."
"A car battery is made up of several cells connected together."
"The remote runs on a single AA cell."
4
A small group forming part of a larger, often secretive, organization.
"Each cell of the resistance group knew only its own members."
"The network was divided into small cells so that no one knew everyone."
"Police broke up a terrorist cell operating in the city."
How to use cell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: the tiny building block of living things, a small prison room, a battery unit, or a small secretive group within a bigger organization.
Common pairings
prison cell
blood cell
battery cell
terror cell
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Word forms
- Plural
- cells
- Third person singular
- cells
- Past tense
- celled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Each _____ in a leaf contains tiny structures that capture sunlight.
Etymology
From Latin cella, "small room or storage chamber" — the same root behind "cellar."
Related words
Rhymes for cell
See all rhymes for cell →Frequently asked questions
What does “cell” mean?
The word “cell” means the smallest basic unit of a living organism, capable of growing and reproducing itself. In plain terms, depending on context: the tiny building block of living things, a small prison room, a battery unit, or a small secretive group within a bigger organization.
How do you pronounce “cell”?
“Cell” is pronounced sehl (/sɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cell” in a sentence?
Here is “cell” used in a sentence: “The human body contains trillions of cells.”
What is another word for “cell”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cell” include cyte.
What part of speech is “cell”?
“Cell” is a noun.
Where does the word “cell” come from?
The word “cell” comes from Latin. From Latin cella, "small room or storage chamber" — the same root behind "cellar.".
Is “cell” a common word?
“Cell” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cell” have?
“Cell” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the smallest basic unit of a living organism, capable of growing and reproducing itself.
What is the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell?
Both are living cells with a nucleus and a membrane, but plant cells have three features animal cells lack: a rigid cell wall for support, chloroplasts for turning sunlight into food, and a large central vacuole for storage. Animal cells are usually more flexible and varied in shape.
What are the main parts of a cell?
Most cells share a few key structures: an outer cell membrane that controls what enters and leaves, cytoplasm — the jelly-like fluid filling the cell — and, in complex cells, a nucleus that holds genetic material. Smaller structures called organelles carry out specific jobs such as producing energy.
What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
The key difference is the nucleus. Eukaryotic cells — found in animals, plants, and fungi — keep their genetic material inside a membrane-bound nucleus. Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, have no nucleus; their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm. Prokaryotes are also generally smaller and simpler.
Why are cells called the building blocks of life?
Because every living thing is made of one or more cells, and nothing smaller can live on its own. A cell is the smallest unit that can grow, take in nutrients, and reproduce. Whether an organism is a single bacterium or a human of trillions of cells, cells are the foundation.
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