cellular

[ sel-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by cellules or cells, especially minute compartments or cavities.
2. of or relating to cellular phones.

cellular

/ ˌsɛljʊˈlærɪtɪ; ˈsɛljʊlə /

adjective

1. of, relating to, resembling, or composed of a cell or cells
2. having cells or small cavities; porous
3. divided into a network of cells
4. textiles woven with an open texture

   a cellular blanket

5. designed for or involving cellular radio

Derived Forms

• cellularity, noun

Other Words From

• cellu·lari·ty noun
• cellu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cellular¹

1745–55; < New Latin cellulāris, equivalent to cellul(a) “live cell” ( Latin: “little room”; cellule ) + -āris -ar ¹

Example Sentences

When the spike proteins that surround the virus latch onto a host cell with an ACE2 receptor, they open up a cellular doorway that allows the virus to hijack the cell.

From Washington Post

If it can connect over standard phone lines or via cellular connection, it will likely be OK during an outage.

From Popular-Science

Human cells then make the spike protein, triggering the immune system to produce antibodies and fire up cellular immune defenses from T cells, which attack the coronavirus should it be encountered later.

From Science News

Rosenworcel wrote a dissent to the T-Mobile and Sprint merger plainly stating that it would hurt consumers by reducing the number of options available to them when it comes to cellular service.

From Popular-Science

Thanks to the cellular feature on the SE, I now leave my phone at home when I go for a run each afternoon, knowing that I can still call my wife to tell her I’m gonna tack on a few more miles.

From Outside Online

Accounts of the prison have come from women who managed to hide their cellular phones, calling relatives to describe their plight.

From The Daily Beast

Observing a sex difference in a patient population is important, but finding a cellular parallel is truly remarkable.

From The Daily Beast

Beta amyloid, he thinks, is one of many things that can stress cellular garbage disposal in the brain.

From The Daily Beast

Mammalian cellular metabolism, aka the basic rules of being alive on planet Earth, runs best at a pH between 7.38 and 7.42.

From The Daily Beast

The lymph system serves to  gather and remove  cellular toxins.

From The Daily Beast

The thread was lodged in the perforated part, and consequently left in contact with the cellular membrane.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a radiator is known as the honeycomb, or cellular, the former term being applied to those whose cells resemble a honeycomb.

From Project Gutenberg

The elementary tissues of both kingdoms have been traced, in whatever form they may be found, to a cellular origin.

From Project Gutenberg

The animal part is a very fine network, called the cellular membrane.

From Project Gutenberg

The cellular incubator (Fig. 114) which was made for me some years ago is of the greatest practical utility.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• biological
• nuclear