cell wall

noun

: the usually rigid nonliving permeable wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae see cell illustration

Examples of cell wall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Pears, more noticeably than other fruits, have these stone cells with thicker cell walls, which give the flesh a gritty texture; no doubt, the better pears are cultivated to make the stone cells less noticeable to the human palate. Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 15 June 2025 Calcium is an essential plant nutrient that is required for proper growth, especially for the development of cell walls in the tomato fruit. Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025 The escapees used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls, the source said. Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 26 May 2025 The captures come as Louisiana authorities continue to investigate how the men were able to create a hole in a cell wall by ripping out a toilet and to escape without being noticed by guards in the early hours of May 16. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cell wall

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Cell wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20wall. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cell wall

noun
: the firm nonliving layer that encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae

Medical Definition

cell wall

noun
: the usually rigid nonliving permeable wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae

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