mononuclear

American  

[mon-uh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-, -kyuh-ler] / ˌmɒn əˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu-, -kyə lər /

adjective

1. Cell Biology. Also mononucleate. having only one nucleus.

2. Chemistry. (of hydrocarbons) monocyclic.

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mononuclear British  

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈnjuːklɪə /

adjective

1. (of a cell) having only one nucleus

2. another word for monocyclic

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Pronunciation

See nuclear.

Etymology

Origin of mononuclear

First recorded in 1885–90; mono- + nuclear

Example Sentences

To produce youthful versions, researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells -- adult cells reprogrammed to an early embryonic-like state -- to generate new, young mononuclear phagocytes.

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 2025

"We did not see that decline in mice receiving young mononuclear phagocytes, and we believe this may be responsible for some of the memory improvements that we observed."

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 2025

Because the young mononuclear phagocytes did not appear to cross into the brain, researchers believe they may influence brain health indirectly.

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 2025

The cells, known as mononuclear phagocytes, normally circulate through the body to clear harmful substances.

From Science Daily • Oct. 23, 2025

They are present so abundantly in the blood of medullary leukæmia as to impart to the whole picture a predominantly mononuclear character.

From Histology of the Blood Normal and Pathological by Myers, W.