tissue

noun tis·sue \ˈti-(ˌ)shü, chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü\

: a piece of soft and very thin paper that is used especially for cleaning

: the material that forms the parts in a plant or animal

Full Definition of TISSUE

a : a fine lightweight often sheer fabric

b : mesh, network, web <a tissue of lies>

: a piece of soft absorbent tissue paper used especially as a handkerchief or for removing cosmetics

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal

— tis·su·ey \ˈti-shə-wē\ adjective

See tissue defined for English-language learners

See tissue defined for kids

Origin of TISSUE

Middle English tysshewe, tyssew, a rich fabric, from Anglo-French tissue, from past participle of tistre to weave, from Latin texere — more at technical

First Known Use: 1563

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with TISSUE

issue

TISSUE Defined for Kids

tissue

noun tis·sue \ˈti-shü\

Definition of TISSUE for Kids

: a fine lightweight fabric

: a piece of soft absorbent paper <She dabbed at her nose with a tissue.>

: a mass or layer of cells usually of one kind that perform a special function and form the basic structural material of an animal or plant body <muscle tissue>

Medical Dictionary

tissue

noun tis·sue \ˈtish-(ˌ)ü, ˈtish-ə(-w), chiefly British ˈtis-(ˌ)yü\

Medical Definition of TISSUE

: an aggregate of cells usually of a particular kind together with their intercellular substance that form one of the structural materials of a plant or an animal and that in animals include connective tissue, epithelium, muscle tissue, and nerve tissue