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 CMEs were launched during a rare double eruption of solar magnetic filaments on April 12 and April 13.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Unusually, these solar flares didn't come from sunspots — dark patches on the sun's surface indicating intense magnetic activity— but magnetic filaments detaching from the sun.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The main image showcases huge vertical filaments, with the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core clearly visible.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Acciona Wind turbine blades have previously been turned into asphalt for roads, decking materials, the raw ingredients for 3D printing filaments, and park benches and playground equipment.
—New Atlas, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for filament
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Unusually, these solar flares didn't come from sunspots — dark patches on the sun's surface indicating intense magnetic activity— but magnetic filaments detaching from the sun.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The main image showcases huge vertical filaments, with the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core clearly visible.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Acciona Wind turbine blades have previously been turned into asphalt for roads, decking materials, the raw ingredients for 3D printing filaments, and park benches and playground equipment.
—New Atlas, 8 Mar. 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 28 Apr. 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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