cytology

noun

cy·tol·o·gy | \ sī-ˈtä-lə-jē

Definition of cytology

1a : a branch of biology dealing with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history of cells : cell biology

b : the cellular aspects of a phenomenon, process, or structure liver cytology

2 : the microscopic examination of cells obtained from the body (as by aspiration or scraping) for diagnostic purposes : exfoliative cytology A Mayo study found that cytology is only 40 percent sensitive in detecting bladder cancer among people who have the disease. — Mayo Clinic Health Letter

— called also cytopathology

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Other Words from cytology

cytological \ ˌsī-tə-ˈlä-ji-kəl

\ or cytologic \ ˌsī-tə-ˈlä-jik

\ adjective

cytologically \ ˌsī-tə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

cytologist \ sī-ˈtä-lə-jist

\ noun

Examples of cytology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to her teaching duties, and despite not having the support of a research university, Yasui also embarked on her own research in plant cytology, the study of plant cells. — Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, "How a Pioneering Botanist Broke Down Japan’s Gender Barriers," 21 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cytology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Time Traveler for cytology

The first known use of cytology was in 1857

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More Definitions for cytology

cytology

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cytology

biology : the study of plant and animal cells

See the full definition for cytology in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cytology

noun

cy·tol·o·gy | \ sī-ˈtäl-ə-jē

plural cytologies

Medical Definition of cytology

1a : a branch of biology dealing with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history of cells : cell biology

b : the cellular aspects of a phenomenon, process, or structure the cytology of cancer liver cytology

2 : the microscopic examination of cells obtained from the body (as by aspiration or scraping) for diagnostic purposes : exfoliative cytology A Mayo study found that cytology is only 40 percent sensitive in detecting bladder cancer among people who have the disease. — Mayo Clinic Health Letter, September 1999

— called also cytopathology