Definition
A thin, thread-like structure or wire, often made of metal or another material, that glows when heated by an electric current. Filaments are commonly used in incandescent light bulbs and also refer to fine, fiber-like structures in biology.
Example Usage
The filament in the vintage light bulb burned out after years of use, requiring replacement.
Origin
From Medieval Latin filamentum, from Latin filum (thread).
Fun Fact
Thomas Edison famously tested thousands of materials for filaments before settling on carbonized cotton and later tungsten, which remains the standard in modern incandescent bulbs.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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