pluripotent

adjective

plu·​rip·​o·​tent plu̇-ˈri-pə-tənt How to pronounce pluripotent (audio)
: not fixed as to developmental potentialities
especially : capable of differentiating into one of many cell types
pluripotent stem cells

Examples of pluripotent 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.
But a new study out of UC San Diego has offered new insight on the process thanks to a model using pluripotent stem cells. — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2025 To produce it, researchers start with self-renewing cells, such as embryonic or pluripotent stem cells, from animal tissue. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2018 The therapies rely on induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells — adult cells that are reprogrammed back into a stem-cell-like state. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026 Scientists have successfully produced functional sperm and eggs from mouse pluripotent stem cells and created healthy offspring. — Emily Mullin, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pluripotent

Word History

Etymology

Latin plur-, plus more + English potent

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pluripotent was in 1916

Rhymes for pluripotent

See All Rhymes for pluripotent

Browse Nearby Words

pluripotency
pluripotent
pluripresence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

pluripotent

adjective
plu·​rip·​o·​tent plu̇-ˈrip-ət-ənt How to pronounce pluripotent (audio)
1
: not fixed as to developmental potentialities
especially : capable of differentiating into one of many cell types
pluripotent stem cells
2
: capable of having more than one effect
pluripotent activity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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