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

See Examples For:

phagocytosis

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

Macrophages follow neutrophils and take over the phagocytosis function and are involved in the resolution of an inflamed site, cleaning up cell debris and pathogens.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

This idea gave rise to the theory of phagocytosis, and the corpuscles were consequently named phagocytes.

From The Story of Germ Life by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)