glial

adjective

gli·​al ˈglē-əl How to pronounce glial (audio) ˈglī- How to pronounce glial (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting glia
glial cells

Examples of glial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nor was there any change in glial fibrillary acidic protein, or GFAP, another blood biomarker that seems to correlate reasonably well with Alzheimer’s disease. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 18 June 2024 These proteins are released from glial cells and neurons, respectively, and only show up in the blood after mild brain injury, Okonkwo said. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2024 Hub cells are only one of many glial subtypes that play functional roles in the gut. Yasemin Saplakoglu, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2024 Other researchers seem to have resolved a 30-year debate over whether some of the brain’s glial cells — historically considered to be barely more than padding for the more prestigious neurons — can stimulate electrical signals. Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for glial 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glial was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near glial

Cite this Entry

“Glial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glial. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

glial

adjective
: of, relating to, or comprising glia
glial cells
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