guard cell

noun

: one of the two crescent-shaped epidermal cells that border and open and close a plant stoma

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guard cell was in 1875

Dictionary Entries Near guard cell

guard cartridge

guard cell

guard chamber

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Guard cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guard%20cell. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

guard cell

noun
: one of two crescent-shaped cells that form the margin of a stoma in the epidermis of a leaf and serve to open and close it

More from Merriam-Webster on guard cell

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guard cell

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...