membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

1

: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin

2

: a piece of parchment forming part of a roll

membraned

ˈmem-ˌbrānd 

adjective

Examples of membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the pods has a thin orange membrane in the interior, with a few seeds suspended within. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

In addition to a thick skull, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a natural protective membrane, prevents microscopic intruders such as toxins and pathogens from entering the nervous system. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2025

Ford flatlined twice and underwent a 10-hour surgery before being placed on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine for a week. —Eileen Finan, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025

The membrane requires no liquid electrolyte and reduces hydrogen crossover. —science.org, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin membrana skin, parchment, from membrum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing membrane

• basement membrane
• basilar membrane
• cell membrane
• embryonic membrane
• fertilization membrane
• inter-membrane
• mucous membrane
• nictitating membrane
• nuclear membrane
• periodontal membrane
• plasma membrane
• serous membrane
• tympanic membrane
• unit membrane
• vitelline membrane

Rhymes for membrane

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

: a thin soft flexible sheet or layer especially of a plant or animal part (as a cell, tissue, or organ)

membranous

ˈmem-brə-nəs

adjective

Medical Definition

membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān 

1

: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin

2

: a limiting protoplasmic surface or interface see nuclear membrane, plasma membrane

membraned

ˈmem-ˌbrānd 

adjective