cytoplasm

[ sahy-tuh-plaz-uhm ]
/ ˈsaɪ təˌplæz əm /

noun Cell Biology.

the cell substance between the cell membrane and the nucleus, containing the cytosol, organelles, cytoskeleton, and various particles.

QUIZZES

DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!
Question 1 of 7
What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
to cause to be empty or unoccupied.
to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of cytoplasm

First recorded in 1870–75; cyto- + -plasm

OTHER WORDS FROM cytoplasm

cy·to·plas·mic, adjectivecy·to·plas·mi·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for cytoplasm

British Dictionary definitions for cytoplasm

cytoplasm
/ (ˈsaɪtəʊˌplæzəm) /

noun

the protoplasm of a cell contained within the cell membrane but excluding the nucleus: contains organelles, vesicles, and other inclusions

Derived forms of cytoplasm

cytoplasmic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for cytoplasm

cytoplasm
[ sī′tə-plăz′əm ]

n.

The protoplasm outside a cell nucleus.

Other words from cytoplasm

cy′to•plas′mic (-plăz′mĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for cytoplasm

cytoplasm
[ sī′tə-plăz′əm ]

The jellylike material that makes up much of a cell inside the cell membrane, and, in eukaryotic cells, surrounds the nucleus. The organelles of eukaryotic cells, such as mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and (in green plants) chloroplasts, are contained in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm and the nucleus make up the cell's protoplasm. See more at cell.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for cytoplasm

cytoplasm
[ (seye-tuh-plaz-uhm) ]

The material within a biological cell that is not contained in the nucleus or other organelles.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.