# cilium

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsɪl.i.əm/

## Definitions
1. A short microscopic hairlike organelle projecting from a eukaryotic cell (such as a unicellular organism or one cell of a multicelled organism) which serve either for propulsion by causing currents in the surrounding fluid or as sensors.
2. One of the fine hairs along an insect's wing.
3. One of the hairs or similar protrusions along the margin of an organ.
4. An eyelash.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin cilium (“eyelid”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cilium