cellular
cellular — adjective
1. relating to the tiny structural units that all living things — plants, animals,
relating to the tiny structural units that all living things — plants, animals, and humans — are built from.
The biology class examined the cellular structure of a single leaf under a microscope.
attributive: cellular + noun (structure, biology)
Dr. Aiko Yamamoto published a new study on the cellular changes that happen during sleep.
The dermatologist told Amara that the sun had caused cellular damage to the skin on her shoulders.
Dr. Okafor explained that the new cream fights wrinkles by boosting cellular repair in the deeper layers of skin.
As people get older, their muscle cells produce energy less efficiently and cellular processes start to slow down.
- biological
broader — covers all aspects of living organisms, not just the cell level
- microscopic
refers to scale rather than biological structure; not interchangeable
文法句型
cellular + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used attributively (before a noun), especially with scientific terms like 'structure,' 'biology,' 'damage,' 'level,' and 'process.'
2. built from or divided into many small sections or compartments that fit together
built from or divided into many small sections or compartments that fit together to create a larger whole.
The old blanket had a cellular pattern of small squares and a soft, bumpy feel.
attributive: cellular pattern (textile)
A cellular prison layout divides the space into many separate units for individual inmates.
collocation: cellular layout / cellular prison
The architects designed a cellular office with many small rooms instead of one open floor.
Some foam materials have a cellular structure that traps air and provides good insulation.
The organisation adopted a cellular model where each team operates as its own small unit.
- compartmental
more specific — emphasises the division into sections; 'compartmental layout'
- honeycomb
describes a specific hexagonal pattern of compartments; 'honeycomb structure'
- segmented
broader — divided into segments, not necessarily small cells
文法句型
cellular + noun
用法筆記
This sense is much less common than the biology sense (adj/1) and is mostly found in technical descriptions of materials, textiles, prison layouts, or organisational structures. Do not confuse with the biological meaning — 'cellular structure' in a biology context refers to living cells, while in material science it refers to compartments.
常見錯誤
3. relating to a telephone network that sends and receives calls through radio sign
relating to a telephone network that sends and receives calls through radio signals rather than through wires connected to individual buildings.
Priya put her cellular phone on silent mode before the meeting started.
attributive: cellular phone
The cellular network went down during the storm, so no one could make calls.
collocation: cellular network
Ravi switched to a new provider that offered cheaper cellular data plans.
In rural areas the cellular signal is often weak because the towers are far apart.
Nadia pays about forty dollars a month for her cellular service.
文法句型
cellular + noun (phone, network, service, system)
用法筆記
In American English, 'cellular phone' (often shortened to 'cell phone' or just 'cell') is the standard term. British English prefers 'mobile phone' or simply 'mobile.' This adjective sense is always attributive — it comes before a noun like 'phone,' 'network,' or 'service.'
常見錯誤
cellular — noun
1. a portable telephone that connects to a radio network of local transmitters, all
a portable telephone that connects to a radio network of local transmitters, allowing people to make and receive calls without being tied to a fixed line.
Leila pulled out her cellular and snapped a photo of the sunset over the lake.
informal noun usage: 'her cellular'
Can I borrow your cellular for a second? Mine just died.
The driver kept checking his cellular while waiting at the red light.
Yusuf left his cellular on the bus and had to call the lost-and-found office.
Hana dropped her cellular in the pool, and now the screen won't turn on.
- cell phone
the standard full form in American English; more common than 'cellular' as a noun
- mobile phone
standard British term; also understood in US English
- smartphone
a cellular phone with advanced computing features — a subset of cell phones
- landline
a phone connected by a physical wire; opposite of a mobile phone
文法句型
a/the cellular
my/your/his cellular
用法筆記
Using 'cellular' as a noun is informal and is most common in American English. In everyday conversation, 'cell' or 'cell phone' is far more frequent. 'Cellular' as a noun may sound slightly dated or technical to younger speakers.