metaxylem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific (Botany)
Quick answer
What does “metaxylem” mean?
The last-formed, mature xylem tissue in a plant, consisting of larger, thick-walled vessels and tracheids that provide the main structural support and water-conducting capacity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The last-formed, mature xylem tissue in a plant, consisting of larger, thick-walled vessels and tracheids that provide the main structural support and water-conducting capacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No known orthographic, phonetic, or semantic differences. The term is standard in botanical literature in both varieties.
Connotations
None beyond the technical botanical meaning.
Frequency
Used exclusively in specialized botanical and biological contexts. Frequency is equal and extremely low in general discourse in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “metaxylem” in a Sentence
The metaxylem [verb: develops, forms, consists of, differentiates into] [noun phrase: vessels, tracheids].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metaxylem” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- metaxylem vessels
- metaxylem development
American English
- metaxylem vessels
- metaxylem development
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in advanced botany, plant biology, and plant anatomy texts, research papers, and courses.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Central to descriptions of primary vascular tissue development and structure in plant anatomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metaxylem”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metaxylem”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metaxylem”
- Mispronouncing as /miːtə-/ instead of /mɛtə-/. Confusing metaxylem with secondary xylem (which is produced by the vascular cambium, not part of primary growth).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Metaxylem is part of the primary xylem formed during primary growth. Secondary xylem (wood) is produced later by the vascular cambium during secondary growth.
Its main functions are the conduction of water and minerals and providing mechanical strength to the primary plant body through its thickened cell walls.
Protoxylem differentiates first, has smaller cells with annular or spiral thickenings, and is often stretched or crushed. Metaxylem differentiates later, has larger cells with more complex (pitted, reticulate) thickenings, and remains functional.
No, it is a highly specialized botanical term not used in everyday language.
The last-formed, mature xylem tissue in a plant, consisting of larger, thick-walled vessels and tracheids that provide the main structural support and water-conducting capacity.
Metaxylem is usually technical/scientific (botany) in register.
Metaxylem: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛtəˈzaɪləm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛtəˈzaɪləm/ˌmɛtəˈzaɪlɛm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
META-xylem: think of 'meta-' meaning 'after' or 'beyond' (like 'metamorphosis' = change after). Metaxylem comes AFTER the protoxylem.
Practice
Quiz
Metaxylem is a term primarily used in which field?