monocyte

American  

[mon-uh-sahyt] / ˈmɒn əˌsaɪt /

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.

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monocyte British  

/ ˈmɒnəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

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

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monocyte Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• monocytic
  adjective
• monocytoid
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of monocyte

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

monocyte

The authors examine how different monocyte populations change over time and assess the debated M1/M2 macrophage polarization model.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

Among patients with colorectal cancer, those with higher levels of IPA in the bloodstream after chemotherapy showed lower monocyte levels.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026

As one of these immune cells matures, it usually goes through an intermediate stage known as a monocyte, but the yolk sac macrophages bypass this step.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 16, 2023

So for trained immunity to last for months, it must also affect monocyte precursor stem cells in the bone marrow.

From Scientific American ● Dec. 1, 2021

A monocyte is a circulating precursor cell that differentiates into either a macrophage or dendritic cell, which can be rapidly attracted to areas of infection by signal molecules of inflammation.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

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