leukocyte

noun

leu·​ko·​cyte ˈlü-kə-ˌsīt 

: any of the colorless blood cells of the immune system including the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and their derivatives : white blood cell

leukocytic

ˌlü-kə-ˈsi-tik 

adjective

Examples of leukocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The center also cautions that a reishi extract was found to have toxic effects in leukocytes, and gastrointestinal cancer patients had higher levels of the serum tumor marker CA72-4 after taking reishi spore supplements. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

The Food and Drug Administration approved on Thursday a gene therapy for severe leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (LAD-1), an ultra-rare disease that leaves children vulnerable to life-threatening infections. — Jason Mast, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026

Human milk has a unique composition with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory agents and living leukocytes, all of which contribute to the child's developing immune system, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. — Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025

The patient’s hemoglobin level had plummeted; his white cells, or leukocytes, had multiplied; he was doubled over in pain. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing leukocyte

• human leukocyte antigen
• polymorphonuclear leukocyte

Rhymes for leukocyte

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

leukocyte

noun

leu·​ko·​cyte ˈlü-kə-ˌsīt 

: white blood cell

Medical Definition

leukocyte

noun

leu·​ko·​cyte

variants or chiefly British leucocyte

ˈlü-kə-ˌsīt 

: any of the colorless blood cells of the immune system including the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and their derivatives : white blood cell