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

Not long after undergoing the stem cell transplant in July 2024, Mischley was told the treatment did not work as expected. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025

Once the laser locates the hair follicle root, which houses your hair’s stem cells, the laser then converts its light energy to heat, damaging the hair root. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2025

Research found that applying a skin serum containing apple stem cell extract significantly improved the look of the skin and delayed signs of aging. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025

Stem Cell Therapies: A New Era In Regenerative Medicine Regenerative medicine is leveraging stem cell technology to address chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and even certain cancers. —Alana Sandel, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stem cell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

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