cell wall

American  

[sel wawl] / ˈsɛl ˈwɔl /

noun

Biology.

1. the definite boundary or wall that is part of the outer structure of certain cells, as a plant cell.

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cell wall British  

noun

1. the outer layer of a cell, esp the structure in plant cells that consists of cellulose, lignin, etc, and gives mechanical support to the cell

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cell wall Scientific  

1. The outermost layer of cells in plants, bacteria, fungi, and many algae that gives shape to the cell and protects it from infection. In plants, the cell wall is made up mostly of cellulose, determines tissue texture, and often is crucial to cell function.

2. Compare cell membrane

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cell wall Cultural  

1. The rigid outer covering of a typical plant cell, composed mainly of cellulose and lying outside the cell membrane. Animal cells do not have cell walls.

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Discover More

It is the cell walls that give plant stems and wood their stiffness.

Etymology

Origin of cell wall

First recorded in 1840–50

Compare meaning

How does cell-wall compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cell wall vs. cell membrane

Example Sentences

Removing the chitin synthase gene resulted in a thinner cell wall, which made the internal protein more accessible for digestion.

From Science Daily

The cells in both shells also have tough cell walls packed with spiraling coils of microfibers.

From Science Magazine

When some poets spent time behind bars, they sometimes used rocks to carve the curved Burmese script of their poems onto cell walls.

From New York Times

When ice crystals formed inside the potatoes during the big chill, they sliced open cell walls and damaged the starch granules that give potatoes their distinctive texture.

From Salon

That means antibiotics can interfere with cell walls, or other bacteria-specific parts and processes, to kill the pathogens without harming our own cells.

From Scientific American