# cellular

/ˈsɛɫjəɫɝ/ (US) · /sˈɛljʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cellular
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. biological

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the tiny cells that make up all living things.

For teachers: pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling the microscopic structural and functional units of living organisms.

- Scientists are studying the cellular structure of the new plant species.
- The researchers observed significant cellular degradation when the tissue samples were exposed to the experimental compound for more than forty-eight hours.

Usage: Usually precedes the noun it modifies.

### 2. mobile technology

adjective · CEFR B2 · American English

relating to a phone system that uses radio towers to cover different areas.

For teachers: relating to a mobile communications system divided into small geographic areas, each served by a low-power transmitter.

- The mountain cabin has a very weak cellular signal.
- The expansion of the cellular network into rural provinces has significantly boosted the local economy by providing reliable internet access to small businesses.

Usage: Commonly used in North America where 'mobile' is used in British English.

### 3. woven fabric

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of cloth with many small holes that helps keep you warm or cool.

For teachers: denoting a fabric, typically cotton, woven with a pattern of small open spaces to provide insulation and breathability.

- The baby was wrapped in a soft cellular blanket.
- The athlete preferred cellular base layers because the ventilated weave allowed for superior moisture-wicking during high-intensity training sessions.

### 4. a mobile phone

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a short way of saying 'cellular phone'.

For teachers: a mobile radiotelephone; used as a clipped form of cellular phone.

- He reached for his cellular to call for help after the car broke down.
- While the term 'cellular' was a common noun for the device in the nineties, most contemporary speakers have shortened it further to simply 'cell'.

## Examples

- Scientists study cellular structures to understand how diseases spread.
- The biologist spent years researching cellular regeneration in starfish to see if it could help human medicine.
- Advanced imaging techniques allow researchers to observe cellular processes in real time, providing insights into the metabolic pathways that sustain life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.