tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈti-(ˌ)shü 

 chiefly British  ˈtis-(ˌ)yü

1

: a piece of soft absorbent tissue paper used especially as a handkerchief or for removing cosmetics

2

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal

3

a

: a fine lightweight often sheer fabric

b

: mesh, network, web

a tissue of lies

tissuey

ˈti-shə-wē 

adjective

Examples of tissue in a Sentence

She wiped her nose with a tissue.

a sample of brain tissue

The drug can damage the body's tissues.

a box wrapped in tissue

Recent Examples on the Web

Wash your hands frequently, especially after using tissues and changing diapers. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 15 Dec. 2024

That precision enables it to be directed largely at tumors themselves, rather than surrounding healthy tissue, thereby reducing harm for patients with various forms of cancer, particularly those with neck tumors, breast cancer, gliomas and meningiomas, and prostate cancers. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Protein can also build tissue that maintains the younger quality of our skin. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024

Many people have a significant imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 in their bodies — a November 2015 study found levels of linoleic acid have increased by 136% in the fat tissue of Americans over the past half century. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tysshewe, tyssew, a rich fabric, from Anglo-French tissue, from past participle of tistre to weave, from Latin texere — more at technical

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing tissue

• adipose tissue
• bathroom tissue
• connective tissue
• granulation tissue
• permanent tissue
• scar tissue
• tissue culture
• tissue fluid
• tissue of lies
• tissue paper
• tissue plasminogen activator
• vascular tissue
• woven a tissue of lies

Kids Definition

tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈtish-ü 

1

: a fine lightweight fabric

2

: a piece of soft absorbent paper

3

: a mass or layer of cells usually of one kind together with the uniting or enclosing substance around and between them that form the basic structural materials of a plant or an animal compare connective tissue

Medical Definition

tissue

noun

tis·​sue

ˈtish-(ˌ)ü, ˈtish-ə(-w), chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue