monocyte

[ mon-uh-sahyt ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

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

monocyte

/ ˌmɒnəˈsɪtɪk; ˈmɒnəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a large phagocytic leucocyte with a spherical nucleus and clear cytoplasm

monocyte

/ mŏn′ə-sīt′ /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• monocytic, adjective
• ˌmonoˈcytoid, adjective

Other Words From

• mon·o·cyt·ic [mon-, uh, -, sit, -ik], adjective
• mono·cytoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monocyte¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

This meant studying lncRNAs in a type of white blood cell known as a monocyte.

From Science Daily

Zarif and his colleagues previously demonstrated that macrophage precursor cells called monocytes will develop into immune-activating macrophages if they are grown in a laboratory setting without glutamine.

From Science Daily

In fact, when they depleted specific subpopulations of these types of monocytes from circulating blood of mice after vaccination, the maintenance of LN expansion, and timing of the T cell response to vaccination, was altered.

From Science Daily

"In this study, we have defined population-specific differences in how blood monocytes respond, which contribute to the higher rates of perianal fistulous complications in African American patients with Crohn's disease."

From Science Daily