organelle

noun

or·​gan·​elle ˌȯr-gə-ˈnel How to pronounce organelle (audio)
: a specialized cellular part (such as a mitochondrion, chloroplast, or nucleus) that has a specific function and is considered analogous to an organ

Examples of organelle 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.
These organelles divide by splitting in two, as bacteria do, and cannot be formed anew if absent in daughter cells, indicating that the host cell lacks the necessary genetic instructions to produce them. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026 Eukaryotes begin to emerge on Earth, with cells now containing enclosed, separated organelles to carry out individual functions within a cell. — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025 Human cells are extremely small and tightly packed – at about 20 micrometers across, roughly one-fifth the width of a human hair, each cell contains a dense mix of proteins, organelles, and molecular machinery. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026 Converging lines of biophysical and biochemical evidence have led researchers to focus on mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles found in most cells of the body. — Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for organelle

Word History

Etymology

New Latin organella, from Latin organum

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of organelle was in 1915

Rhymes for organelle

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Browse Nearby Words

organdy
organelle
organette
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

organelle

noun
or·​gan·​elle ˌȯr-gə-ˈnel How to pronounce organelle (audio)
: a structure (as a mitochondrion) in a cell that performs a special function

Medical Definition

organelle

noun
or·​gan·​elle ˌȯr-gə-ˈnel How to pronounce organelle (audio)
: a specialized cellular part (as a mitochondrion or nucleus) that has a specific function and is considered analogous to an organ

More from Merriam-Webster on organelle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about organelle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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