monocyte

American

[mon-uh-sahyt] / ˈmɒn əˌsaɪt /

noun

Cell Biology.

a large, circulating white blood cell, formed in bone marrow and in the spleen, that ingests large foreign particles and cell debris.

monocyte British

/ ˌmɒnəˈsɪtɪk, ˈmɒnəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

a large phagocytic leucocyte with a spherical nucleus and clear cytoplasm

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

monocyte Scientific

/ mŏn′ə-sīt′ /

Any of various large white blood cells that are formed in the bone marrow, circulate in the blood, and destroy pathogenic bacteria by phagocytosis. Monocytes develop into macrophages in various body tissues.

Other Word Forms

monocytic adjective
monocytoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of monocyte

First recorded in 1910–15; mono- + -cyte

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Participants who received the drug experienced faster pain resolution and had significantly lower levels of intermediate monocytes in both blood and tissue -- the immune cells linked to chronic inflammation and disease.

From Science Daily

T cells and B cells are known for retaining long-term immune memory, while monocytes and natural killer cells respond quickly to threats.

From Science Daily

These monocytes normally help cancer cells evade immune defenses and support the growth of metastases.

From Science Daily

The team also examined isolated monocytes and used cell culture tests to explore the underlying biological mechanisms in greater detail.

From Science Daily

Osteoclasts arise from the differentiation of macrophages or monocytes, which are types of immune cells.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023