stem cell

noun

: an unspecialized cell that gives rise to differentiated cells

hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow

Examples of stem cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Circular sheets of corneal cells, generated using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) derived from umbilical cord blood, were transplanted into four patients aged between 39 and 72 with corneal epithelial stem cell deficiency. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

View 2 Images An innovative fertility technology using stem cells to help an embryo mature outside the body has resulted in the world’s first live human birth. —New Atlas, 17 Dec. 2024

Local researchers will attempt to find a way to either regenerate or regrow this nerve and plan to use novel stem cell and bioelectronic technologies to develop the procedure. —Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

Should a match be needed, that donor will receive a call and arrangements will be made to donate their stem cells; their blood is then rushed to wherever the patient is located. —Nicole Gregory, Orange County Register, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stem cell

noun

: a simple cell that can become a cell (as a blood cell or skin cell) with a special function

Medical Definition

stem cell

noun

ˈstem- 

: an unspecialized cell capable of perpetuating itself through cell division and having the potential to give rise to differentiated cells with specialized functions

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst stage of the embryo.

—Carrie J. Merkle, in Essentials of Pathophysiology

… picture the bone marrow as a blood cell factory that takes a single type of precursor cell, or stem cell, and modifies it in various ways to produce all the cells that circulate in the blood.

—Gina Kolata, Discover

Recent observations are providing increasing evidence for the concept that adult stem cells are part of a natural system for tissue repair.

—Darwin J. Prockop, in Essentials of Stem Cell Biology