filament

noun

fil·​a·​ment ˈfi-lə-mənt How to pronounce filament (audio)
: 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
filamentary adjective
filamentous adjective

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
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.
Four Glock-style guns, one loaded with 9mm bullets, were recovered, as well as eight lower frames — the gun’s structural component — a 3D printer and 14 spools — about 20 pounds — of PLA filament, a plastic used in the production of ghost guns, police said. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025 Those filaments are arranged in line with the direction of the bend, putting them at a right angle to the underlying cellulose filaments. New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2025 In contrast, incandescent bulbs need electricity to heat an internal metal filament inside the glass to produce light, which is released in every direction. Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024 But Cunningham says that, against expectations, these stellar winds seem not to be significantly sculpting the filaments. Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for filament 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Medieval Latin filamentum, from Late Latin filare to spin — more at file

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of filament was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near filament

Cite this Entry

“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

filament

noun
fil·​a·​ment ˈfil-ə-mənt How to pronounce filament (audio)
: 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
filamentous adjective

Medical Definition

filament

noun
fil·​a·​ment ˈfil-ə-mənt How to pronounce filament (audio)
: 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)
filamentous adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on filament

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