stem cell

noun

: an unspecialized cell that gives rise to differentiated cells

hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow

Examples of stem cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After receiving a bone marrow transplant and stem cell donation from her sister, Cali Cole is now three years post-transplant with no complications. —Essence, 19 June 2024

Influential people such as Jeff Bezos are investing heavily in research and treatments, and cutting edge regenerative medicine–like breakthroughs in stem cell therapy–frequently makes headlines. —Mary Holland, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2024

About 20 stock keeping units, including the brand’s stem cell scalp serum and stem cell scalp treatment, will enter 40 doors. —Noor Lobad, WWD, 18 June 2024

The credit goes to the brand’s proprietary H2-Grow Complex, a stem cell blend that protects follicles from damage. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stem cell

noun

: a simple cell that can become a cell (as a blood cell or skin cell) with a special function

Medical Definition

stem cell

noun

ˈstem- 

: an unspecialized cell capable of perpetuating itself through cell division and having the potential to give rise to differentiated cells with specialized functions

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst stage of the embryo.

—Carrie J. Merkle, in Essentials of Pathophysiology

… picture the bone marrow as a blood cell factory that takes a single type of precursor cell, or stem cell, and modifies it in various ways to produce all the cells that circulate in the blood.

—Gina Kolata, Discover

Recent observations are providing increasing evidence for the concept that adult stem cells are part of a natural system for tissue repair.

—Darwin J. Prockop, in Essentials of Stem Cell Biology