flagellum

noun

fla·​gel·​lum flə-ˈje-ləm 

plural flagella flə-ˈje-lə  also flagellums

: any of various elongated filiform appendages of plants or animals: such as

a

: the slender distal part of an antenna

b

: a long tapering process that projects singly or in groups from a cell and is the primary organ of motion of many microorganisms

Examples of flagellum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This means that the flagellum has a fool-proof mechanism to enable swimming in low viscosity environments, which would otherwise be impossible for aquatic species. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Sep. 2023

Choanoflagellates live in seawater and use a tail, called a flagellum, to move through their environment and find food. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 12 Jan. 2016

Microscopic examinations revealed the spore surface is lined with rows of proteins called rodlins that may grab a passing flagellum—working much like Velcro. —Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 22 Mar. 2021

These organisms use a long, tail-like structure called a flagellum to move about. —Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2019

The most well known is the amoeba, but these microbes come in several forms, including species that move with a single flagellum or with hairlike cilia. —Adrian Higgins, idahostatesman, 23 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, whip, shoot of a plant

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

flagellum

noun

fla·​gel·​lum flə-ˈjel-əm 

plural flagella -ˈjel-ə  also flagellums

: a long whiplike structure by which some tiny plants and animals move

flagellar

-ˈjel-ər

adjective

Medical Definition

flagellum

noun

fla·​gel·​lum flə-ˈjel-əm 

plural flagella -ə  also flagellums

: a long tapering process that projects singly or in groups from a cell and is the primary organ of motion of many microorganisms