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  

/ ˌmɒnəˈsɪtɪk, 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

Derived Forms

• monocytoid
  adjective
• monocytic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of monocyte

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

Example Sentences

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

"Our discovery of unique fistula fibroblasts, distinct monocyte differentiation in African-ancestry individuals, and key transcription factor binding events helps us illuminate mechanistic underpinnings of perianal fistula -- critical for the optimization of future treatment."

From Science Daily • Apr. 24, 2024

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

Another leukocyte that is found in the peripheral blood is the monocyte.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

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