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 interwoven filaments create an organic internet, transmitting information and resources crucial to a forest ecosystem.
—
Diana Argabrite, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025
At the top of the cosmic hierarchy, giant groups of galaxies clump into sprawling, matter-rich filaments and sheets around gaping intergalactic voids, but past that, structure seems to peter out.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2025
This outburst ejects powerful jets, seen as filaments shooting out from the binary system, forming loops and trails as the plasma emerges in streamers.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2024
The view shows a wild, colorful nebula with filaments of gas reaching out in a spiral pattern.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filament 
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Diana Argabrite, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2025
At the top of the cosmic hierarchy, giant groups of galaxies clump into sprawling, matter-rich filaments and sheets around gaping intergalactic voids, but past that, structure seems to peter out.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2025
This outburst ejects powerful jets, seen as filaments shooting out from the binary system, forming loops and trails as the plasma emerges in streamers.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2024
The view shows a wild, colorful nebula with filaments of gas reaching out in a spiral pattern.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for filament
Articles Related to filament
Dictionary Entries Near filament
Cite this Entry
“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 11 Feb. 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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