Spanish word

célula

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈθelula/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncell

Example

Cada célula necesita energía para vivir.

Each cell needs energy to live.

Illustration for célula (cell)

More examples

En el análisis salió que mis células sanguíneas están dentro de lo normal.

The test showed that my blood cells are within the normal range.

Core concept

Microscopic membrane-enclosed unit of a living organism.

Common phrases

  • célula sanguínea

    blood cell

  • célula tumoral

    tumor cell

Similar words

celda: Small enclosed room or compartment in a building, typically a prison cell.

Definition in Spanish

Unidad estructural y funcional más pequeña de los organismos vivos, rodeada por una membrana y capaz de procesos como metabolismo y división celular.

Word origin

From Latin cellula 'small room' (diminutive of cella), originally meaning a little chamber and later used in biology for the smallest structural unit of life.

Usage tips

  • In news and security contexts, 'célula' often means a small organized group (for example a terrorist or criminal cell), so context determines biological versus organizational meaning.

Related words

Word lists with this word