vacuole /vak″yo̅o̅·ōl/ [L, vacuus, empty] , 1. a clear or fluid-filled space or cavity within a cell, such as occurs when a droplet of water is ingested by the cytoplasm. 2. a small space in the body enclosed by a membrane, usually containing fat, secretions, or cellular debris. −vacuolated, vacuolar, adj.
