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 group successfully created an inspirational collection of items commonly used in the outdoor space using a cotton and polylactic acid (PLA) 3D filament, an ode to the same great outdoors that cotton finds its own beginnings.
—
Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 13 June 2024
Nerves, in turn, are made up of bundles of axons, the individual filaments that transmit signals throughout the body.
—Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
The team then tracked the movement of clouds and filaments across the 30 second intervals and calculated the horizontal wind speeds.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for filament 
Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 13 June 2024
Nerves, in turn, are made up of bundles of axons, the individual filaments that transmit signals throughout the body.
—Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
The team then tracked the movement of clouds and filaments across the 30 second intervals and calculated the horizontal wind speeds.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for filament
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'filament.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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