Definition
A single self-contained electrochemical unit that produces a voltage by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. A battery is made up of one or more cells connected together to deliver the required voltage and capacity.
Plain English
One small unit inside a battery that produces electricity through a chemical reaction. Several cells joined together make a battery.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical-system discussions and in weather reports or forecasts describing thunderstorms.
Derivation
From the Latin cella, meaning a small room or compartment. The idea is a small enclosed unit doing one job — in this case, producing one share of the battery's voltage.
Why Pilots Care
Cells can generate severe turbulence, icing, and lightning, requiring pilots to avoid them for safe flight.
Analogy
Think of an apartment in a building. The apartment is one separate unit, but it is still part of the whole building.
Intuition Check
Do not assume cell means a living cell from biology. In aviation, it usually means one separate unit within a battery or one separate area of active weather.
Example Sentence 1
A 24-volt aircraft battery is built from twelve 2-volt lead-acid cells connected in series.