Synonyms

white blood cells

Cultural

Colorless cells in the blood that help combat infection. Some white blood cells act as scavengers by engulfing foreign particles (such as bacteria) and destroying them. Others produce antibodies or destroy dead cells. (See AIDS.)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Specifically, Kelonia is developing intravenous “in vivo” cell therapies—next-generation genetic medicines that reprogram white blood cells directly inside the body.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Mantle cell lymphoma is rare and affects white blood cells called B lymphocytes.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

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 • Dec. 23, 2025

Macrophages are white blood cells that play a central role in defending the body.

From Science Daily • Oct. 30, 2025

Because his white blood cells can identify and destroy the infected cells, this man doesn’t get sick.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023