cellulose

noun

cel·​lu·​lose ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs 

-ˌlōz

: a polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x of glucose units that constitutes the chief part of the cell walls of plants, occurs naturally in such fibrous products as cotton and kapok, and is the raw material of many manufactured goods (such as paper, rayon, and cellophane)

Examples of cellulose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Specifically, polypropylene releases 1.2 billion particles per milliliter, cellulose releases 135 million particles per milliliter, and nylon-6 releases 8.18 million particles per milliliter. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024

In case this is news to you, pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents—often cellulose made from wood pulp—that keeps the cheese from clumping up. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024

Under the apartment’s roof, for example, cellulose insulation boards were left exposed, and then varnished, without being concealed behind drywall. —Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 10 Dec. 2024

However, this doesn’t reduce the wood’s overall stability, because the cellulose remains intact. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from cellule living cell, from New Latin cellula

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cellulose

• cellulose acetate
• cellulose nitrate
• ethyl cellulose
• regenerated cellulose

Kids Definition

cellulose

noun

cel·​lu·​lose ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs 

: a complex carbohydrate that is the chief part of the cell walls of plants and is commonly obtained as a white stringy substance from vegetable matter (as wood or cotton) which is used in making various products (as rayon and paper)

cellulosic

ˌsel-yə-ˈlō-sik

adjective

Medical Definition

cellulose

noun

cel·​lu·​lose ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs, -ˌlōz 

: a polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x of glucose units that constitutes the chief part of the cell walls of plants, occurs naturally in such fibrous products as cotton and kapok, and is the raw material of many manufactured goods (as paper, rayon, and cellophane)