white blood cell

American  

noun

1. any of various nearly colorless cells of the immune system that circulate mainly in the blood and lymph and participate in reactions to invading microorganisms or foreign particles, comprising the B cells, T cells, macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes.

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white blood cell British  

noun

1. a nontechnical name for leucocyte

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white blood cell Scientific  

/ wīt /

1. Any of various white or colorless cells in the blood of vertebrate animals, many of which participate in the inflammatory and immune responses to protect the body against infection and to repair injuries to tissues. White blood cells are formed mainly in the bone marrow, and unlike red blood cells, have a cell nucleus. The major types of white blood cells are granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. White blood cells are far less numerous in the blood than red blood cells, but their amount usually increases in response to infection and can be monitored as part of a clinical assessment.

2. Also called leukocyte

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Etymology

Origin of white blood cell

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

After the birth of her second child, her doctor noticed her white blood cell count was high.

From Los Angeles Times

Doctors at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York first noticed Schlossberg’s irregular white blood cell count hours after she gave birth to her second child in May 2024, according to the essay.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a bachelor of science and a medical degree, Levis became fascinated with T cells, the white blood cells that help defend the body from infections.

From The Wall Street Journal

For this study, the universal CAR T-cells came from the white blood cells of healthy donors.

From Science Daily

The treatment involves precisely editing the DNA in white blood cells to transform them into a cancer-fighting "living drug".

From BBC