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 When the toxin reaches the outer surface of a cell, this protein forms into a doughnut-like shape, then punches a hole through the cell wall. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2023 The drugs are generally active against gram-positive bacteria, a group of bacteria that has peptidoglycan on the outside of the cell wall. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023 Bacteria are surrounded by a cell wall and a membrane; many antibiotics use a channel in these structures to get inside the bacterium. Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021 When the bacteria divide, penicillin prevents proteins in the cell wall from reassembling properly, causing the bacterial cell to rupture and quickly die.2 Natural penicillins are those directly derived from P. chrysogenum fungi. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023 Penicillin antibiotics, which kill bacteria by preventing them from building a cell wall, are used to treat various illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, skin infections and dental abscesses. Andrew Chapman, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2023 Perhaps the most significant finding, the authors write in the journal Advanced Materials, is that any number of materials, including cellulose, which is found in the cell walls of plants, can be used for the device, provided they can be engineered with small enough pores. Sabrina Shankman, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2023 Unlike conventional antifungals, which target the fungal cell membrane or cell wall, molecular machines localize to the fungal mitochondria. Ana L. Santos, The Conversation, 26 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cell wall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near cell wall

Cite this Entry

“Cell wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20wall. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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