tissue

noun

tis·​sue ˈti-(ˌ)shü How to pronounce tissue (audio)
chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü
Synonyms of tissuenext
1
: a piece of soft absorbent tissue paper used especially as a handkerchief or for removing cosmetics
2
: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal
3
a
: a fine lightweight often sheer fabric
b
: mesh, network, web
a tissue of lies
tissuey
ˈti-shə-wē How to pronounce tissue (audio)
adjective

Examples of tissue in a Sentence

She wiped her nose with a tissue. a sample of brain tissue The drug can damage the body's tissues. a box wrapped in tissue
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.
Deirdre explained that a five-minute cupping session was the equivalent of 20 minutes of deep-tissue massage. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 At age 15, Weeks was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer of the bone and soft tissue. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 The bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, can enter open wounds and cause tissue death and systemic sepsis. — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 1 July 2026 In biology, when the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, the result is autoimmune disease. — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tissue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tysshewe, tyssew, a rich fabric, from Anglo-French tissue, from past participle of tistre to weave, from Latin texere — more at technical

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tissue was in 1563

Phrases Containing tissue

Rhymes for tissue

See All Rhymes for tissue

Browse Nearby Words

tissual
tissue
tissue culture
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

tissue

noun
tis·​sue ˈtish-ü How to pronounce tissue (audio)
1
: a fine lightweight fabric
2
: a piece of soft absorbent paper
3
: a mass or layer of cells usually of one kind together with the uniting or enclosing substance around and between them that form the basic structural materials of a plant or an animal compare connective tissue

Medical Definition

tissue

noun
tis·​sue
ˈtish-(ˌ)ü, ˈtish-ə(-w), chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü
: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on tissue

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tissue

Nglish: Translation of tissue for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tissue

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