beta cell

noun

: any of the insulin-secreting pancreatic cells in the islets of Langerhans

Examples of beta cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team discovered that taking a daily pill of baricitinib for 48 weeks preserved insulin-producing beta cell function, decreased blood glucose fluctuations and reduced the need for insulin in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disorder defined by the immune system’s destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Once the beta cells are gone, the body can’t make insulin, and blood sugar control is lost. New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2025 Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Essence, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for beta cell

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beta cell was in 1915

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beta cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beta%20cell. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

beta cell

noun
: any of various secretory cells distinguished by their basophilic staining characters: as
a
: a pituitary basophil
b
: an insulin-secreting cell of the islets of Langerhans compare alpha cell

More from Merriam-Webster on beta cell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!