filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfi-lə-mənt 
: 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
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
The efficiency of these water harvesters depends on decreasing the size of the filaments and the mesh holes.
—
Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
In fact, this is the largest pattern found in nature, with galaxies clumping together to form clusters, stringing themselves along filaments that stretch tens of millions of light-years on a side, and extending along broad walls that separate vast regions of the universe from each other.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Our narrator, Fennell, an Irish journalist, playwright, and author in his late forties, has taken an assignment to embed with the crew of men who are tasked with fixing the broken filament.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Deliveries of double heater draw-texturing spindles, which are mainly used for polyester filaments, grew 80 percent, with 95 percent going to China.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for filament
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Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025
In fact, this is the largest pattern found in nature, with galaxies clumping together to form clusters, stringing themselves along filaments that stretch tens of millions of light-years on a side, and extending along broad walls that separate vast regions of the universe from each other.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 June 2025
Our narrator, Fennell, an Irish journalist, playwright, and author in his late forties, has taken an assignment to embed with the crew of men who are tasked with fixing the broken filament.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Deliveries of double heater draw-texturing spindles, which are mainly used for polyester filaments, grew 80 percent, with 95 percent going to China.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for filament
Cite this Entry
“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfil-ə-mənt
: 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
Medical Definition
filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfil-ə-mənt
: 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)
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