1a small room in which a prisoner is locked up or in which a monk or nun sleeps:the authorities locked all remaining inmates in their cells
historical a small monastery or nunnery dependent on a larger one.
2 Biology the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is typically microscopic and consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane.
an enclosed cavity in an organism.
a small compartment in a larger structure such as a honeycomb.
3a small group forming a nucleus of political activity, typically a secret, subversive one:terrorist cells
4a device containing electrodes immersed in an electrolyte, used for generating current or for electrolysis.
a unit in a device for converting chemical or solar energy into electricity:a button cell for a quartz watch
5the local area covered by one of the short-range transmitters in a cellular telephone system.
