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
These magnetic forces may be strong enough to counteract the typical gravitational star-forming collapse of molecular clouds, instead confining material into dense filaments seen in the JWST images, which helps explain why Sgr C is forming fewer stars than expected, according to the two new papers.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Her dress was constructed from a network of branching filaments that create a ghostly, organic silhouette.
—Renan Botelho, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
According to the team, the signals are inconsistent with those previously seen with other types of dense gas filaments, and show no association with dust emission.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The Rauch Satin Sheen Christmas ornament line was born in the 1960s after a call from Bill Spiegel of Spiegel Catalog asking if Rauch’s machines could wind rayon filament onto a foam ball.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for filament
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Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Her dress was constructed from a network of branching filaments that create a ghostly, organic silhouette.
—Renan Botelho, WWD, 25 Mar. 2025
According to the team, the signals are inconsistent with those previously seen with other types of dense gas filaments, and show no association with dust emission.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
The Rauch Satin Sheen Christmas ornament line was born in the 1960s after a call from Bill Spiegel of Spiegel Catalog asking if Rauch’s machines could wind rayon filament onto a foam ball.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 21 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 27 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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