endocytosis

[ en-doh-sahy-toh-sis ]

/ ˌɛn doʊ saɪˈtoʊ sɪs /

noun Physiology.

the transport of solid matter or liquid into a cell by means of a coated vacuole or vesicle (distinguished from exocytosis).

Nearby words

endocrinous, endocuticle, endocystitis, endocytobiology, endocytose, endocytosis, endoderm, endodermal sinus tumor, endodermis, endodontia, endodontics

Compare phagocytosis, pinocytosis.

Origin of endocytosis

1960–65; endo- + -cyte + -osis, perhaps on the model of phagocytosis

Related forms

en·do·cyt·ic

[en-doh-sit-ik] /ˌɛn doʊˈsɪt ɪk/, en·do·cy·tot·ic

[en-doh-sahy-tot-ik] /ˌɛn doʊ saɪˈtɒt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for endocytosis

endocytosis

/ (ˌɛndəʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs) /

noun

the process by which a living cell takes up molecules bound to its surface

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

Medicine definitions for endocytosis

endocytosis

[ ĕn′dō-sī-tō′sĭs ]

n.

A process of cellular ingestion by which the plasma membrane folds inward to bring substances into the cell.

Related forms

en′do•cyt′ic (-sĭt′ĭk) null adj.en′do•cy•tose′ (-tōs′) v.