stem cell

American  

noun

Cell Biology.

stem cells plural

1. a cell that upon division replaces its own numbers and also gives rise to cells that differentiate further into one or more specialized types, as various B cells and T cells.

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stem cell British  

noun

1. histology an undifferentiated cell that gives rise to specialized cells, such as blood cells

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stem cell Scientific  

1. An unspecialized cell found in fetuses, embryos, and some adult body tissues that has the potential to develop into specialized cells or divide into other stem cells. Stem cells from fetuses or embryos can develop into any type of differentiated cells, while those found in mature tissues develop only into specific cells. Stem cells can potentially be used to replace tissue damaged or destroyed by disease or injury, but the use of embryonic stem cells for this purpose is controversial.

2. Also called progenitor cell

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stem cell Cultural  

1. A cell from which a variety of other cells can develop through the process of cellular differentiation. Stem cells can produce only a certain group of cells (as with skin stem cells) or any cell in the body (as with embryonic stem cells).

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Discover More

A major controversy involves the question of whether nonembryonic stem cells should be used for medical purposes.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• stem cells
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stem cell

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Caitlin and Grace had been believed to be fraternal twins because they developed in different amniotic sacs, but doctors found their markers were exactly the same while assessing Grace as a potential stem cell donor.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

Their findings, published in the journal Science, point to a newly identified type of stem cell that appears during aging and may help fuel the production of new fat cells.

From Science Daily • Jun. 27, 2026

They had been believed to be fraternal twins because they developed in different amniotic sacs, but doctors found their markers were exactly the same while assessing Grace as a potential stem cell donor.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Previous research had shown that broader dietary patterns, such as fasting or calorie restriction, can influence stem cell activity, but scientists had not pinpointed one specific nutrient responsible for this type of repair response.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

As tech titans invest in cryogenic freezing and stem cell therapies to live forever, my peers are manipulating their faces to deny their own mortality.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026