1 cilia | Definition of cilia

cilium

noun
cil·​i·​um | \ ˈsi-lÄ“-É™m How to pronounce cilium (audio) \
plural cilia\ ˈsi-​lÄ“-​É™ How to pronounce cilia (audio) \

Definition of cilium

1 : a minute short hairlike process often forming part of a fringe especially : one on a cell that is capable of lashing movement and serves especially in free unicellular organisms to produce locomotion or in higher forms a current of fluid
2 : eyelash

Examples of cilium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among their design concerns were methods for nurturing cilium and for recycling sweat. Guy Trebay, New York Times, "Van Gogh on Five, Wonderbra on Six: A Tour of MoMA’s New Fashion Exhibit," 26 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cilium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cilium

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for cilium

New Latin, from Latin, eyelid; akin to Latin celare to conceal — more at hell

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More Definitions for cilium

cilium

noun
cil·​i·​um | \ ˈsi-lÄ“-É™m How to pronounce cilium (audio) \
plural cilia\ ˈsi-​lÄ“-​É™ \

Kids Definition of cilium

: a tiny hairlike structure on the surface of some cells

cilium

noun
cil·​i·​um | \ ˈsil-Ä“-É™m How to pronounce cilium (audio) \
plural cilia\ -​Ä“-​É™ How to pronounce cilia (audio) \

Medical Definition of cilium

1 : eyelash
2 : a minute, short, hairlike process that projects from the surface of most eukaryotic cells, is composed chiefly of microtubules, in unicellular organisms functions chiefly in locomotion, and in higher forms serves especially in the movement of fluids and particles (as the passage of mucus and dust from the lungs) and in sensory reception — see ciliopathy

More from Merriam-Webster on cilium

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with cilium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cilium