phagocytosis

American  

[fag-uh-sahy-toh-sis] / ˌfæg ə saɪˈtoʊ sɪs /

noun

1. Physiology. the ingestion of a smaller cell or cell fragment, a microorganism, or foreign particles by means of the local infolding of a cell's membrane and the protrusion of its cytoplasm around the fold until the material has been surrounded and engulfed by closure of the membrane and formation of a vacuole: characteristic of amebas and some types of white blood cells.

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phagocytosis British  

/ ˌfæɡəsaɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. the process by which a cell, such as a white blood cell, ingests microorganisms, other cells, and foreign particles

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Etymology

Origin of phagocytosis

First recorded in 1890–95; phagocyte + -osis

Compare meaning

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

• phagocytosis vs. pinocytosis

Example Sentences

They identified key cellular processes involved in this cleanup, including phagocytosis and lysosomal activity.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

While the phenomenon of "frustrated phagocytosis" had already been observed, its role in the pathogenesis of the concerned diseases had not yet been clearly established.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2024

Bacteria smaller than 0.5 microns in size are trapped by choanocytes, which are the principal cells engaged in nutrition, and are ingested by phagocytosis.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Digestion is extracellular, with digested materials taken in to the cells of the gut lining by phagocytosis.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

It has not been shown, however, that the polymorphonuclear leukocyte increase caused by nuclein has made phagocytosis more active.

From Disturbances of the Heart by Osborne, Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas)