membrane
gb/mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/ us/mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/
B2
English
~ 6500
hártya, membrán
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
1
Usage pattern:
a membrane [around/lining/separating] [a body part/cell/organ]
The virus enters the cell by passing through the cell membrane.
A vírus úgy jut be a sejtbe, hogy áthatol a sejthártyán.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose can cause a constant runny nose.
Az orr nyálkahártyájának gyulladása állandó orrfolyást okozhat.
The eardrum is a thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves reach it.
Oxygen moves across the lung membrane and into the blood.
This drug works by binding to proteins in the cell membrane.
Learner examples
The cell membrane controls what goes in and out of the cell.
A sejthártya szabályozza, mi jut be a sejtbe, és mi jut ki belőle.
Your nose has a soft membrane that makes mucus.
Az orrodban puha nyálkahártya van, amely nyákot termel.
The eye has a clear membrane that covers the front part.
A thin membrane separates the inside of the ear from the outside air.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “membrane” with “member” because they look similar. “Membrane” is always about a thin layer (usually in the body or in science), while “member” means a person in a group or a part of a body (like a limb). Another mistake is to use “skin” instead of “membrane” in technical or medical contexts where the more precise biological term is needed.
Meaning
thin layer of body tissue
Collocations
cell membrane
|mucous membrane
|outer membrane
|protective membrane
|thin membrane
|membrane lining
Synonyms
tissue layer (Broader and more descriptive; does not specifically highlight thinness or separating function.)
|
lining (Stresses that the membrane covers the inside of an organ or cavity, rather than separating two parts.)
Antonyms
opening (An opening is a gap or passage between spaces, while a membrane is a thin barrier that covers or separates them.)
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
|health
|body
Definition
A very thin, soft layer inside the body that covers or separates parts, such as around a cell or inside the mouth or nose.
A very thin, flexible layer of tissue in an animal, plant, or other organism that covers a surface, lines a cavity, or separates different parts of the body.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
membrán
C1
Usage pattern:
a membrane [between/under/over] [materials/spaces]
The water is purified as it passes through the reverse-osmosis membrane.
A víz megtisztul, miközben áthalad a fordított ozmózisú membránon.
A waterproof membrane was installed under the tiles to stop leaks.
A burkolólapok alá vízszigetelő membránt helyeztek, hogy megakadályozzák a szivárgást.
Gas molecules diffuse across the polymer membrane at different speeds.
The microphone converts sound into electrical signals using a vibrating membrane.
Engineers chose a semi-permeable membrane to separate the two liquids.
Learner examples
The filter has a special membrane that removes salt from water.
A szűrőben egy speciális membrán van, amely eltávolítja a sót a vízből.
We put a plastic membrane under the roof to keep out rain.
Műanyag membránt tettünk a tető alá, hogy ne jusson be az eső.
Only small molecules can go through this membrane.
The speaker makes sound when its membrane moves quickly.
Common mistake:
Learners may use “layer” or “sheet” instead of “membrane” in technical descriptions. While often understandable, “membrane” is preferred when the layer is very thin and used to separate or filter substances, especially in engineering or chemistry.
Meaning
thin separating or filtering layer
Collocations
semi-permeable membrane
|filter membrane
|waterproof membrane
|polymer membrane
|membrane filter
|membrane separation
Synonyms
film (Emphasizes thinness but not necessarily the selective barrier or filtering function that “membrane” often implies.)
|
barrier layer (Highlights the blocking or separating role, but does not suggest flexibility or controlled passage as clearly as “membrane.”)
Antonyms
open passage (An open passage allows free movement without a separating layer, the opposite of what a membrane provides.)
Themes
science
|technology
|engineering
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very thin, flexible layer of material used in science or technology to keep things apart or to let only some things pass through.
A very thin, flexible layer of natural or synthetic material used to separate spaces or to control which substances can pass through.
Grammar
Dictionary form
membrane
IPA
GB/mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/
US/mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/
Syllables & stress
mem - brane (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mem)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: membrane
- Plural: membrane, membranes
Word family
Forms
membranes
noun
Advanced or less common
membranous
adjective
Expressions
basement membrane
1/bˈeɪsmənt mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
supporting layer under body cells
A very thin membrane under a sheet of cells in the body that supports them and separates them from deeper tissue.
Examples
- The cancer cells broke through the basement membrane and spread to nearby tissue.
- The basement membrane provides structure and support for the cells above it.
cell membrane
1/sˈɛl mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
outer layer of a cell
The thin, living membrane around a cell that controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Examples
- The cell membrane helps the cell keep a stable internal environment.
- Nutrients pass through the cell membrane before they can be used by the cell.
mucous membrane
1/mjˈukəs mˈɛmbɹˌeɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
moist inner lining that makes mucus
A soft, wet membrane inside parts of the body like the mouth, nose, and lungs that makes mucus and protects these areas.
Examples
- The virus infects the mucous membrane of the throat and nose.
- Dry air can irritate the mucous membrane inside your nose.