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

filamentary

ˌfi-lə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē 

adjective

filamentous

ˌfi-lə-ˈmen-təs 

adjective

Synonyms

• bristle
• fiber
• hair
• thread

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

Hot-glue each insect to a length of fishing line and use invisible tape to attach the opposite end of the filament to the inside of the cloche. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024

The shoe outsole is placed onto a robotic arm which rotates while the spray releases a single continuous string of thermoplastic filament. —Tim Genske, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Enlarge / Artist's conception of a dark matter filament containing a galaxy with large jets. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2024

The cyanobacteria form sticky filaments that act like glue in sandy desert soil, creating a clumpy, crusty surface where fungi and other bacteria take hold. —Jude Coleman, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Medieval Latin filamentum, from Late Latin filare to spin — more at file

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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

filamentous

ˌfil-ə-ˈment-əs 

adjective

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)

filamentous

ˌfil-ə-ˈment-əs 

adjective