tissue

American  

[tish-oo, tis-yoo] / ˈtɪʃ u, ˈtɪs yu /

noun

1. Biology. an aggregate of similar cells and cell products forming a definite kind of structural material with a specific function, in a multicellular organism.

2. tissue paper.

3. any of several kinds of soft gauzy papers used for various purposes.

   cleansing tissue; toilet tissue.

4. an interwoven or interconnected series or mass.

   a tissue of falsehoods.

5. a piece of thin writing paper on which carbon copies are made.

6. a woven fabric, especially one of light or gauzy texture, originally woven with gold or silver.

   a blouse of a delicate tissue.

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verb (used with object)

tissued, tissuing

1. to remove (a cosmetic or cream) with a facial tissue (often followed byoff ).

   Tissue all cosmetics off the face before going to bed.

2. to weave, especially with threads of gold and silver.

tissue British  

/ ˈtɪʃuː, ˈtɪsjuː /

noun

1. a part of an organism consisting of a large number of cells having a similar structure and function

   connective tissue

   nerve tissue

2. a thin piece of soft absorbent paper, usually of two or more layers, used as a disposable handkerchief, towel, etc

3. See tissue paper

4. an interwoven series

   a tissue of lies

5. a woven cloth, esp of a light gauzy nature, originally interwoven with threads of gold or silver

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verb

1. rare to weave into tissue

2. to decorate or clothe with tissue or tissue paper

tissue Scientific  

/ tĭsh′o̅o̅ /

1. A large mass of similar cells that make up a part of an organism and perform a specific function. The internal organs and connective structures (including bone and cartilage) of vertebrates, and cambium, xylem, and phloem in plants are made up of different types of tissue.

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Other Word Forms

• intertissued adjective
• tissual adjective
• tissuey adjective
• untissued adjective

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

Example Sentences

Duong was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer, shortly after the Palisades fire rained ash on his family’s West L.A. apartment in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

IPF is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by irreversible scarring and stiffening of lung tissue.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The destruction of bone tissue, in turn, releases calcium into circulation which can result in kidney stress.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

"Our research shows that just having brown fat isn't enough -- you need the right infrastructure within the tissue for heat production," said Shamsi.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

Gross stuff can probably pass through a tissue like air through a screen door.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Related Words

• balance
• character
• composition
• consistency
• fabric
• feeling
• makeup
• nature
• pattern
• quality
• sense
• smoothness
• structure
• surface
• taste
• touch