white blood cell

noun

: any of the blood cells that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

called also leukocyte, white blood corpuscle, white cell

compare red blood cell

Examples of white blood cell 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.
For example, a category of cell that makes blood cells can produce red or white blood cells — but cannot arbitrarily divide into skin cells or neurons. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024 An important part of the immune system, eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can cause inflammation in the lungs and exacerbate breathing problems. —Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Sep. 2024 Monocytes are white blood cells responsible for fighting certain infections and helping other white blood cells remove dead or damaged cells. —New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024 Donovan was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a strain of the disease that starts in white blood cells and affects bone marrow, in 2000. —CBS News, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for white blood cell 

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white blood cell was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near white blood cell

white blister

white blood cell

white blood count

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“White blood cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20blood%20cell. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

white blood cell

noun
: a colorless blood cell (as a lymphocyte) that lacks hemoglobin and contains a nucleus

called also leukocyte, white blood corpuscle, white cell, white corpuscle

Medical Definition

white blood cell

noun
: any of the blood cells of the immune system that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils along with their precursors and derivatives (as macrophages) : leukocyte
—abbreviation WBC

called also white blood corpuscle, white cell, white corpuscle

compare red blood cell

More from Merriam-Webster on white blood cell

Nglish: Translation of white blood cell for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about white blood cell

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