organelle
noun
or·gan·elle
ˌȯr-gə-ˈnel 
: 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
And the researchers offer a possible reason why: Microtubules support the structure and movement of cilia, hair-like organelles sticking out of cells that can direct the flow of surrounding fluid.
—
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
The theory involves the mitochondrion — an organelle that was once a free-living bacterium.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
Or consider the nuclear genes of the cells of advanced organisms (eukaryotes): At some early point in their evolution, these cells gained the help of the genes of a parasite or symbiont that became the mitochondrion, an organelle necessary for energy production.
—Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Two possibilities stand out: chloroplasts and mitochondria, both organelles that float around inside plant cells.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
The new organelle had never stood out because it is made almost entirely of proteins, and the stains that render things visible under an electron microscope don’t stick well to proteins.
—Betsy Hanson, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Recently, a set of papers documented a new biochemical pathway that regulates aging, one based on signals passed between mitochondria, the organelles best known as the powerhouse of the cell.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
The stain makes puddles around the organelle, Rome explains.
—Betsy Hanson, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
This new study found that these bubbles have mRNA molecules that attack important cellular processes in the mold cells, including the functions of organelles.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Dec. 2023
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
The theory involves the mitochondrion — an organelle that was once a free-living bacterium.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
Or consider the nuclear genes of the cells of advanced organisms (eukaryotes): At some early point in their evolution, these cells gained the help of the genes of a parasite or symbiont that became the mitochondrion, an organelle necessary for energy production.
—Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Two possibilities stand out: chloroplasts and mitochondria, both organelles that float around inside plant cells.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
The new organelle had never stood out because it is made almost entirely of proteins, and the stains that render things visible under an electron microscope don’t stick well to proteins.
—Betsy Hanson, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
Recently, a set of papers documented a new biochemical pathway that regulates aging, one based on signals passed between mitochondria, the organelles best known as the powerhouse of the cell.
—Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
The stain makes puddles around the organelle, Rome explains.
—Betsy Hanson, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
This new study found that these bubbles have mRNA molecules that attack important cellular processes in the mold cells, including the functions of organelles.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'organelle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Organelle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organelle. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
organelle
noun
or·gan·elle
ˌȯr-gə-ˈnel
: a structure (as a mitochondrion) in a cell that performs a special function
Medical Definition
organelle
noun
or·gan·elle
ˌȯr-gə-ˈnel
: a specialized cellular part (as a mitochondrion or nucleus) that has a specific function and is considered analogous to an organ
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