Words / B1

SEL/sel/

In biology, a cell is the smallest unit of a living thing: blood cells; plant cells; cell division. A prison cell is a small locked room — mention it if the text is about crime. Cellular is the adjective (cellular biology). Cell phone is US English; UK speakers say mobile. Do not confuse a biology cell with Excel cells (boxes in a spreadsheet) unless the lesson is about computers.

Meaning

The smallest part of a living thing; also a small room in a prison.

Examples

• “Every plant is made of cells.”
• “The diagram shows how a human blood cell carries oxygen.”
• “The prisoner spent the night in a tiny cell with a narrow window.”

Good to know

Biology: blood / plant cells. Crime: a prison cell. UK phone: mobile (not cell phone). Spreadsheet boxes are a later extra.

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