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endocytosis

American

[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).

endocytosis British

/ 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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of endocytosis

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

Compare meaning

How does endocytosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

endocytosis vs. exocytosis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

endocytosis

This process, called endocytosis, supports learning, memory, and the routine maintenance of neurons.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

Faster endocytosis weakened the lattice and triggered a positive feedback loop.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

The team observed some puzzling results: the cell didn't simply take-up FERONIA-LLG1 into the cell, a process known as endocytosis and a typical response; every cell membrane molecule the team tested was affected.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2024

Antigens enter cells via endocytosis and combine with MHC class II molecules in vesicles.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Some human diseases are caused by a failure of receptor-mediated endocytosis.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023