sickle cell

American  

noun

Pathology.

• sickle cells
  plural

1. an abnormal red blood cell having an elongated, crescentlike shape due to the presence of an abnormal hemoglobin.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sickle cells
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sickle cell

First recorded in 1925–30; so called from the fact that the cells are often sickle-shaped

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sickle cell

Without any products on the market, Fulcrum Therapeutics had been striving to commercialize its experimental drug for sickle cell disease, but those plans appear to now be on hold.

From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026

Donors are vital for securing a steady supply of blood for cancer patients, new mothers, those living with long-term conditions such as sickle cell disease, as well as during emergencies.

From BBC ● May 26, 2026

A model of how one of GluBio’s experimental ‘molecular glue’ drugs causes two proteins in the human body, WIZ and cereblon, to stick to each other in a way designed to relieve sickle cell disease.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026

Units from people with rare blood like Stoddart-Stones are used for patients with the same rare blood who are having an operation or need regular transfusions because of disorders such as sickle cell disease.

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026

Dae took a month off from school to care for his mother, who was sick with sickle cell.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore