Phrase guide

zombie cell

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A senescent cell, which avoids programmed cell death (apoptosis) and may damage other cells (including causing them to become senescent) by secretions associated with senescence-associated secretory phenotype.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Topics: biology, cytology, medicine, natural-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • 2022, Louann Brizendine, The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond, Penguin Random House (Harmony Books), unnumbered page, Without restful sleep, they can't do their job of balancing debris and inflammation, and that can lead to the emergence of zombie cells.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: cellule zombie — senescent cell
  • German: Zombiezelle — senescent cell