hair cell

noun

: a cell with hairlike processes
especially : one of the sensory cells in the auditory epithelium of the organ of Corti

Examples of hair cell 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.
In her case, the little hair cells in her inner ear that convert sound waves into electrical signals for the brain don't work. — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 13 Nov. 2025 The gene provides instructions to make the otoferlin protein, which is necessary for hair cells in the inner ear to transmit sound to the brain. — Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026 When your head tilts or accelerates, the weight of these crystals bends the hair cells underneath, signaling the direction and magnitude of the force. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2026 The initial three subjects in the study had damage to their sensory hair cells due to certain antibiotics that are known to be toxic to the hair cells but are sometimes quite critical to patient care. — Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2017 See All Example Sentences for hair cell

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hair cell was circa 1890

Rhymes for hair cell

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Browse Nearby Words

haircap moss
hair cell
hair-check
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Cite this Entry

“Hair cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair%20cell. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

hair cell

noun
: a cell with hairlike processes
especially : one of the sensory cells in the auditory epithelium of the organ of Corti

More from Merriam-Webster on hair cell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hair cell

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