cytoplasm

noun

cy·​to·​plasm ˈsī-tə-ˌpla-zəm How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
: the organized complex of inorganic and organic substances external to the nuclear membrane of a cell and including the cytosol and membrane-bound organelles (such as mitochondria or chloroplasts) see cell illustration
cytoplasmic
ˌsī-tə-ˈplaz-mik How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
adjective
cytoplasmically
ˌsī-tə-ˈplaz-mi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
adverb

Examples of cytoplasm 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.
The result is a biochemical system in which the crowdedness of the cytoplasm reflects a cell’s growth and health, Holt said. — Quanta Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026 In nonmuscle cells myosin is found in the cytoplasm, often associated with actin networks beneath the cell membrane or within the cell interior. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026 For Glass, an obvious red line is for scientists to refrain from making a mirror ribosome, a biological machine found in a cell’s cytoplasm that makes proteins. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 It is activated when a cell signals the presence of stray DNA in its cytoplasm and releases a sensor protein called cGAS. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cytoplasm

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cytoplasm was in 1857

Rhymes for cytoplasm

See All Rhymes for cytoplasm

Browse Nearby Words

cytophotometry
cytoplasm
cytoplasmic heredity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cytoplasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytoplasm. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cytoplasm

noun
cy·​to·​plasm ˈsīt-ə-ˌplaz-əm How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
: the part of a cell outside the nucleus that includes a fluidlike substance and organelles (as chloroplasts and mitochondria)
cytoplasmic
ˌsīt-ə-ˈplaz-mik How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

cytoplasm

noun
cy·​to·​plasm ˈsīt-ə-ˌplaz-əm How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
: the organized complex of inorganic and organic substances external to the nuclear membrane of a cell and including the cytosol and membrane-bound organelles (as mitochondria or chloroplasts)
cytoplasmic
ˌsīt-ə-ˈplaz-mik How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
adjective
cytoplasmically
-mi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce cytoplasm (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on cytoplasm

Nglish: Translation of cytoplasm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cytoplasm

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