cell
word
/ˈsɛɫ/
sel
/sˈɛl/
sel
Definition
A cell is the smallest basic unit of a living thing. It can also mean a small room, especially in a prison, or a mobile phone in American English.
Usage & Nuances
The most common meaning in science is the biological one: 'human cells', 'brain cells'. In everyday American English, 'cell' can also mean 'cell phone', but 'cell phone' is much more common than 'cell' alone. For prison use, common phrases include 'prison cell' and 'solitary cell'.
Spanish: célula - celda - celular (en EE. UU.)Portuguese (BR): célula - cela - celular (EUA)Portuguese (PT): célula - cela - telemóvel (EUA)Chinese (Simplified): 细胞 - 单间牢房 - 手机（美式英语）Chinese (Traditional): 細胞 - 單間牢房 - 手機（美式英語）Hindi: कोशिका - कोठरी - मोबाइल फ़ोन (अमेरिकी अंग्रेज़ी)Arabic: خلية - زنزانة - هاتف محمول (في الإنجليزية الأمريكية)Bengali: কোষ - সেল (কারাগারের কক্ষ) - সেল ফোনRussian: клетка - камера (тюремная) - мобильникJapanese: 細胞 - 独房 - 携帯電話Vietnamese: tế bào - phòng giam - điện thoại di độngKorean: 세포 - 감방 - 휴대폰Turkish: hücre - hücre (hapishane) - cep telefonuUrdu: خلیہ - سیل (قید خانہ) - موبائل فونIndonesian: sel - sel (penjara) - ponsel
Example Sentences
A plant cell has a cell wall.
basic
The prisoner sat alone in his cell.
basic
I left my cell in the car.
basic
This drug attacks cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
natural
He spent three nights in a holding cell after the arrest.
natural
Can you text me when you get there? My cell might die soon.
natural