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flagellum: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2
UK/fləˈdʒɛləm/US/fləˈdʒɛləm/

Formal, Scientific

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Quick answer

What does “flagellum” mean?

A long, slender, whip-like appendage found on certain cells (especially bacteria and sperm cells) used for locomotion.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A long, slender, whip-like appendage found on certain cells (especially bacteria and sperm cells) used for locomotion.

In botany, a slender, runner-like shoot. Historically, a whip or scourge.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).

Connotations

Purely scientific/technical term in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally rare outside academic/biological contexts in both regions.

Grammar

How to Use “flagellum” in a Sentence

The [organism/cell] possesses/has a flagellum.A flagellum [verbs: rotates, propels, moves] the cell.The [structure] is called a flagellum.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
bacterial flagellummotile flagellumsperm flagellumrotate the flagellumpropelled by a flagellum
medium
single flagellumwhip-like flagellumeukaryotic flagellumassembly of the flagellum
weak
long flagellummicroscopic flagellumstructure of the flagellum

Examples

Examples of “flagellum” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The cell can flagellate, moving via its flagellum.
  • Paramecia do not flagellate; they use cilia.

American English

  • The bacterium flagellates rapidly in liquid medium.
  • Sperm cells are flagellated gametes.

adverb

British English

  • The cell moved flagellately through the fluid.

adjective

British English

  • The flagellar motor is a complex protein assembly.
  • They studied flagellate protozoa.

American English

  • Flagellar movement requires substantial energy.
  • The flagellated form of the pathogen is invasive.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Common in biology, microbiology, and biochemistry texts and research papers.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Might be encountered in popular science articles.

Technical

The primary context. Precise term for a specific biological organelle.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “flagellum”

Strong

cilium (in specific structural contexts)undulipodium (obsolete taxonomic term)

Neutral

whip-like structuremotile filament

Weak

tail (for sperm cell, informal)appendage

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “flagellum”

non-motile cellsessile structure

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “flagellum”

  • Misspelling as 'flagela' or 'flagella' (plural).
  • Using it as a general term for any cell projection (it is specific to motility).
  • Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈflæɡələm/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

They are structurally related but different. Flagella are typically longer, fewer (1-2 per cell), and have a whip-like motion. Cilia are shorter, more numerous, and often have a coordinated beating motion.

The plural is 'flagella'.

In modern English, it is almost exclusively a biological term. Its historical meaning of 'whip' is archaic and not used in contemporary language.

No, many bacteria are non-motile and lack flagella. Possession of flagella is a key characteristic used in bacterial classification.

A long, slender, whip-like appendage found on certain cells (especially bacteria and sperm cells) used for locomotion.

Flagellum is usually formal, scientific in register.

Flagellum: in British English it is pronounced /fləˈdʒɛləm/, and in American English it is pronounced /fləˈdʒɛləm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “None”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a FLAG being whipped by the wind. FLAGELLUM whips to move a cell.

Conceptual Metaphor

A FLAGELLUM IS A PROPELLER / WHIP / MOTOR.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Many prokaryotes move by rotating a hair-like structure called a .
Multiple Choice

In which of these cells would you most likely find a flagellum?