filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfi-lə-mənt 
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage (see appendage sense 2): such as
a
: a tenuous (see tenuous sense 2) conductor (as of carbon or metal) made incandescent by the passage of an electric current
specifically
: a cathode (see cathode sense 2) in the form of a metal wire in an electron tube
b(1)
: a thin and fine elongated constituent part of a gill (see gill entry 2 sense 1)
(2)
: an elongated thin series of cells attached one to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some algae, fungi, or bacteria)
c
: the anther-bearing stalk of a stamen see flower illustration
Examples of filament in a Sentence
algae covered with tiny filaments
the cable was made up of fine filaments twisted together
Recent Examples on the Web
The team’s gold cuboid antenna measured 300 by 300 by 50 nanometers, but uneven currents would generate filaments that eventually short-circuited the pixel.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
The printer guides the user through automatic bed leveling, filament loading, and first-layer calibration.
—PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The key ingredient is a fiber with a unique filament structure that prevents it from shrinking in the wash.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Hanging below the vast cosmic heart is a knot of dust and gas known informally as the Fishhead Nebula, thanks to its vaguely oval outline and a dark dust filament that gives it the appearance of an aquatic creature.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for filament
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
The printer guides the user through automatic bed leveling, filament loading, and first-layer calibration.
—PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The key ingredient is a fiber with a unique filament structure that prevents it from shrinking in the wash.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Hanging below the vast cosmic heart is a knot of dust and gas known informally as the Fishhead Nebula, thanks to its vaguely oval outline and a dark dust filament that gives it the appearance of an aquatic creature.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for filament
Cite this Entry
“Filament.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filament. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfil-ə-mənt
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or part: as
a
: a wire (as in a light bulb) that is made to glow by the passage of an electric current
b
: a long chain of cells (as of some bacteria or algae)
c
: the anther-bearing stalk of a plant stamen
Medical Definition
filament
noun
fil·a·ment
ˈfil-ə-mənt
: a single thread or a thin flexible threadlike object, process, or appendage
especially
: an elongated thin series of cells attached one to another or a very long thin cylindrical single cell (as of some algae, fungi, or bacteria)
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