monocyte

noun

mono·​cyte ˈmä-nə-ˌsīt How to pronounce monocyte (audio)
: a large white blood cell with finely granulated chromatin dispersed throughout the nucleus that is formed in the bone marrow, enters the blood, and migrates into the connective tissue where it differentiates into a macrophage
monocytic adjective

Examples of monocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Right after inducing heart attacks in mice, scientists observed increased activity of immune cells called monocytes that can cause increased sleep, but saw no such activity in mice who were left alone. Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Nov. 2024 In previous research, scientists who studied a small group of healthy people found that those who slept well had more monocytes than those who slept poorly, underscoring the importance of these immune cells in sleep regulation. Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Nov. 2024 For the new study, the team used CD47-blocking nanoparticles that are more targeted towards monocytes and macrophages, two types of immune cell that are associated with inflammation in plaques. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024 Further experiments showed that the Tregs caused monocytes and macrophages in damaged tissue to switch to an anti-inflammatory state, specifically by secreting signaling molecules like interleukin-10 (IL-10). New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024 The lowering of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, is one way inflammation is hindered. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 14 Aug. 2024 Women’s vision appears to be less affected by microgravity, and their monocytes returned to normal more quickly than men’s. science.org, 21 June 2024 Rizo López Foods voluntarily recalled all of its dairy products due to their potential Listeria monocyte gene contamination. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 No such monocyte or macrophage infection was seen in the control group of healthy blood donors. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monocyte was circa 1913

Dictionary Entries Near monocyte

Cite this Entry

“Monocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monocyte. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

monocyte

noun
mono·​cyte ˈmän-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce monocyte (audio)
: a large white blood cell that is formed in the bone marrow and travels to the connective tissues where it develops into a macrophage

Medical Definition

monocyte

noun
mono·​cyte ˈmän-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce monocyte (audio)
: a large white blood cell with finely granulated chromatin dispersed throughout the nucleus that is formed in the bone marrow, enters the blood, and migrates into the connective tissue where it differentiates into a macrophage
monocytic adjective
monocytoid adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on monocyte

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!