B cell

American  

noun

Biology.

1. Also called B lymphocyte.  a type of lymphocyte, developed in bone marrow, that circulates in the blood and lymph and, upon encountering a particular foreign antigen, differentiates into a clone of plasma cells that secrete a specific antibody and a clone of memory cells that make the antibody on subsequent encounters.

2. Also called beta cell.  a cell in the islet of Langerhans that produces and secretes insulin.

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B-cell British  

noun

1. another name for B-lymphocyte

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B cell Scientific  

1. Any of the lymphocytes that develop into plasma cells in the presence of a specific antigen. The plasma cells produce antibodies that attack or neutralize the antigen in what is called the humoral immune response. B cells mature in the bone marrow before being released into the blood.

2. Also called B lymphocyte

3. Compare T cell

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B-cell Cultural  

1. One of two main types of immune system lymphocytes (compare T-cell). B-cells originate and develop in the bone marrow and circulate throughout the blood and lymph fluids, recognizing foreign bacteria, viruses, and toxins and binding to them to facilitate their disposal by other cells.

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Etymology

Origin of B cell

1970–75; B cell ( def. 1 ) perhaps B(one-derived) ; B cell ( def. 2 ) B(ursa of Langerhans-derived)

Example Sentences

"By building the right immune infrastructure inside tumors, we can potentiate the patient's own defenses -- both T cell and B cell arms -- against cancer growth, relapse, and metastasis."

From Science Daily • Oct. 15, 2025

In fact, along with DCs, also T and B cell types of the adaptive immune system started to reach their highest numbers.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2024

In a 2022 Science paper, Schief and colleagues reported that 97% of the 36 people who received the vaccine developed the B cell antibody gene mutations needed to progress toward becoming broadly neutralizing.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 1, 2024

That would mean priming, shepherding, and polishing multiple B cell lineages.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 1, 2024

A cell whose resistance becomes greater as the battery power becomes greater, and vice versa, I call an "L B cell" signifying Like the Battery power.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 492, June 6, 1885 by Various