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extracellular

American  
[ek-struh-sel-yuh-ler] / ˌɛk strəˈsɛl jə lər /

adjective

Biology.
  1. outside a cell or cells.


extracellular British  
/ ˌɛkstrəˈsɛljʊlə /

adjective

  1. biology situated or occurring outside a cell or cells

"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

extracellular Scientific  
/ ĕk′strə-sĕlyə-lər /
  1. Located or occurring outside a cell or cells.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of extracellular

First recorded in 1865–70; extra- + cellular

Vocabulary lists containing extracellular

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Before and after treating the organoids with escitalopram, the scientists examined proteins inside extracellular vesicles released by the patient-derived organoids and by healthy control organoids.

From Science Daily Jul. 22, 2026

With additional research, she hopes extracellular vesicles might one day function as a type of liquid biopsy.

From Science Daily Jul. 22, 2026

The researchers also found extracellular vesicles containing both Arc and Tau in human brain tissue, suggesting the same mechanism could exist in people.

From Science Daily Jun. 30, 2026

The extracellular matrix helps maintain the shape and integrity of tissues.

From Science Daily May 8, 2026

Further growth is restricted, practically, to the extracellular regions, and the epimerite often comes to appear ultimately as a small appendage at the anterior end of the protomerite.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various

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