stroma

noun

stro·​ma ˈstrō-mə 

plural stromata ˈstrō-mə-tə 

1

a

: a compact mass of fungal hyphae producing perithecia or pycnidia

b

: the colorless proteinaceous matrix of a chloroplast in which the chlorophyll-containing lamellae are embedded

2

a

: the supporting framework of an animal organ typically consisting of connective tissue

b

: the spongy protoplasmic framework of some cells (such as a red blood cell)

stromal

ˈstrō-məl 

adjective

Examples of stroma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After that comes the unsettling coda; out of the back of the ant’s tiny neck slithers a slender stroma, its surface bristling and primed to rain spores down upon the next group of unfortunate ants below. —Doug Bierend, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2021

But for the folks who do have them, the prostate is made up of tissue known as stroma, secretory glands that produce semen ingredients, and muscle fibers. —Zahra Barnes, SELF, 7 Aug. 2020

The surgeon first uses a suction ring to flatten the eye in order to cut a flap in the cornea, folding back the flap back to reveal the middle section, called the stroma. —Author: Roni Caryn Rabin, Anchorage Daily News, 12 June 2018

The surgeon first uses a suction ring to flatten the eye in order to cut a flap in the cornea, folding the flap back to reveal the middle section, called the stroma. —New York Times, 11 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin stromat-, stroma, from Latin, bed covering, from Greek strōmat-, strōma, from stornynai to spread out — more at strew

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

stroma

noun

stro·​ma ˈstrō-mə 

plural stromata -mət-ə 

1

: the supporting framework of an animal organ typically consisting of connective tissue

2

: the spongy protoplasmic framework of some cells (as a red blood cell)

stromal

-məl 

adjective