tissue
Americannoun
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Biology. an aggregate of similar cells and cell products forming a definite kind of structural material with a specific function, in a multicellular organism.
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any of several kinds of soft gauzy papers used for various purposes.
cleansing tissue; toilet tissue.
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an interwoven or interconnected series or mass.
a tissue of falsehoods.
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a piece of thin writing paper on which carbon copies are made.
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a woven fabric, especially one of light or gauzy texture, originally woven with gold or silver.
a blouse of a delicate tissue.
verb (used with object)
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to remove (a cosmetic or cream) with a facial tissue (often followed byoff ).
Tissue all cosmetics off the face before going to bed.
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to weave, especially with threads of gold and silver.
noun
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a part of an organism consisting of a large number of cells having a similar structure and function
connective tissue
nerve tissue
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a thin piece of soft absorbent paper, usually of two or more layers, used as a disposable handkerchief, towel, etc
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See tissue paper
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an interwoven series
a tissue of lies
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a woven cloth, esp of a light gauzy nature, originally interwoven with threads of gold or silver
verb
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rare to weave into tissue
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to decorate or clothe with tissue or tissue paper
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of tissue
1325–75; Middle English tissew, variant of tissu < Middle French, Old French, noun use of past participle of tistre to weave < Latin texere
Explanation
Tissue is part of the body of a living thing that is made of similar cells, like the cardiac tissue of your heart. A tissue is also a soft, thin piece of paper used for wiping noses and tear drops. The noun tissue comes from the Old French word tissu, meaning “a ribbon, or belt of woven material.” In fact, as a verb, tissue means "weave fabric strands." Today, we think of tissues as the disposable paper for blowing our noses or packing presents. A different kind of tissue is found in the body — the groups of cells that have the same job, like scar tissue that protects a wound as it heals.
Vocabulary lists containing tissue
Cell Biology - Middle School
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Cell Biology - High School
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Animals (Zoology) - Introductory
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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:
The disease is present when tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
He knows politicians use him "like tissue paper", but is still grateful for the cash.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
Using brain stroke as an example, Folkerth says the atlas has uncovered new features that could help doctors preserve brain tissue that is injured but not yet beyond repair, potentially improving patient outcomes.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
"In an 'M1' state, microphages promote inflammation to fight damage or infection, but prolonged M1 activity can also harm healthy tissue," Subramanian notes.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026
The tissue paper crinkles as I carry it back to the table, placing it in front of Uncle Phil.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Deep brain structures and the delicate tissues of the eye and surrounding orbit are especially challenging because of the hardware responsible for transmitting and receiving radiofrequency signals.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
Plus, the surprising ways stress can affect your body, and why humans can regenerate some tissues better than you might think.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
The infected person was hospitalized with neuroinvasive illness — a condition that results in the brain and surrounding tissues becoming inflamed, possibly leading to permanent brain damage and even death, according to the Mayo Clinic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
The researchers were surprised to discover that the bacteria were not helping plants by reducing salt levels inside their tissues.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 29, 2026
“You’re better off without him,” I said as I handed her the box of tissues from the coffee table.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
A man's mother is so tissued and woven into his life and brain that he can no more describe her than describe the air and sunlight that bless his days.
From Mince Pie by Morley, Christopher
Adorn'd with nature's brightest dyes, Whose gadding wing, and tissued plume, Allure so many wandering eyes.
From Olive Leaves Or, Sketches of Character by Sigourney, L. H. (Lydia Howard)
“Her Maiestie doth straightly charge and command— “That none under the degree of a Countess wear: Cloth of gold or silver tissued; Silke of coulor purple.
From The Art of Needle-work, from the Earliest Ages, 3rd ed. Including Some Notices of the Ancient Historical Tapestries by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883
Winged momentarily on bits of tissued flame, threaded with blood, the bats had flickered a secret to her.
From The Trespasser by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)
National industry did all in its power to surmount this ignominious condition; she specially turned her attention to the manufacture of silks and of stuffs tissued with gold and silver.
From Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period by Jacob, P. L.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
