membrane

noun

mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce membrane (audio)
1
: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin
2
: a piece of parchment forming part of a roll
membraned
ˈmem-ˌbrānd How to pronounce membrane (audio)
adjective

Examples of membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Common use cases include aircraft fuselages, drone wings, train exteriors, commercial truck bodies, and architectural membranes. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 Meningitis is an infection and swelling of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Collen says pescatarians can opt for marine collagen and ovo-vegetarians can look for collagen derived from egg membranes, but that may not be as widely available. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026 For years, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, has been available only in major Twin Cities hospitals. — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for membrane

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin membrana skin, parchment, from membrum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of membrane was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing membrane

Rhymes for membrane

See All Rhymes for membrane

Browse Nearby Words

membranate
membrane
membrane curing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/membrane. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

membrane

noun
mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce membrane (audio)
: a thin soft flexible sheet or layer especially of a plant or animal part (as a cell, tissue, or organ)
membranous
ˈmem-brə-nəs
adjective

Medical Definition

membrane

noun
mem·​brane ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce membrane (audio)
1
: a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin
2
: a limiting protoplasmic surface or interface see nuclear membrane, plasma membrane
membraned
ˈmem-ˌbrānd How to pronounce membrane (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on membrane

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about membrane

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