parenchyma

noun

pa·​ren·​chy·​ma pə-ˈreŋ-kə-mə How to pronounce parenchyma (audio)
1
: the essential and distinctive tissue of an organ or an abnormal growth as distinguished from its supportive framework
2
: a tissue of higher plants that consists of thin-walled living photosynthetic or storage cells capable of division even when mature and that makes up much of the substance of leaves and roots, the pulp of fruits, and parts of stems and supporting structures
parenchymal
pə-ˈreŋ-kə-məl How to pronounce parenchyma (audio)
ˌper-ən-ˈkī
ˌpa-rən-
adjective
parenchymatous
ˌper-ən-ˈkī-mə-təs How to pronounce parenchyma (audio)
-ˈki-
ˌpa-rən-
adjective

Examples of parenchyma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The authors conclude that A combination of Ki67 and doublecortin immunoreactivity demonstrates that in humans, the density of proliferating cells, and neuroblasts in particular, declines markedly with age in the SVZ and SGZ and by four years of age is no greater than in the adjacent parenchyma... Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, visceral flesh, from parenchein to pour in beside, from para- + en- en- + chein to pour — more at found

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parenchyma was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near parenchyma

Cite this Entry

“Parenchyma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenchyma. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

parenchyma

noun
pa·​ren·​chy·​ma pə-ˈreŋ-kə-mə How to pronounce parenchyma (audio)
1
: the tissue of an animal organ (as a gland) that performs the work of the organ as compared to tissue which only gives support or serves as a framework
2
: a tissue of higher plants consisting of thin-walled living cells that remain capable of cell division even when mature, are the location where photosynthesis takes place and materials and food are stored, and make up much of the substance of leaves and roots and the pulp of fruits as well as parts of stems and supporting structures

Medical Definition

parenchyma

noun
pa·​ren·​chy·​ma pə-ˈreŋ-kə-mə How to pronounce parenchyma (audio)
: the essential and distinctive tissue of an organ or an abnormal growth as distinguished from its supportive framework

More from Merriam-Webster on parenchyma

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!