cytology
noun
cy·tol·o·gy
sī-ˈtä-lə-jē 
1
a
: 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
Mayo Clinic Health Lettercalled also cytopathology
Examples of cytology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cervical cytology, also known as a Pap test or Pap smear, involves examining cervical cells for changes to detect precancerous or cancerous cells.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
That year, the task force recommended to screen for the disease every three years with cervical cytology alone in women ages 21 to 29.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
For women ages 30 to 65, the USPSTF recommends screening every three years with cervical cytology alone, every five years with high-risk HPV testing alone, or every five years with high-risk HPV testing in combination with cytology.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
Methods to screen for cervical cancer The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for cervical cancer with cervical cytology– also known as a Pap test or Pap smear –every three years for women ages 21 to 29.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
Urine cytology: This microscopic examination of a urine sample checks for precancerous or cancerous cells.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2024
Your pap smear reveals a quite normal cytology.
—Pat Myers, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2022
The test process begins with an at-home kit that includes two small cytology brushes, which are used to collect cheek cells from inside the dog’s mouth.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
Getting Over the Code Delusion is to a large extent a primer on molecular genetics, cytology, and genomics for the uninitiated.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2010
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Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
That year, the task force recommended to screen for the disease every three years with cervical cytology alone in women ages 21 to 29.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
For women ages 30 to 65, the USPSTF recommends screening every three years with cervical cytology alone, every five years with high-risk HPV testing alone, or every five years with high-risk HPV testing in combination with cytology.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
Methods to screen for cervical cancer The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for cervical cancer with cervical cytology– also known as a Pap test or Pap smear –every three years for women ages 21 to 29.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 5 Sep. 2024
Urine cytology: This microscopic examination of a urine sample checks for precancerous or cancerous cells.
—James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2024
Your pap smear reveals a quite normal cytology.
—Pat Myers, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2022
The test process begins with an at-home kit that includes two small cytology brushes, which are used to collect cheek cells from inside the dog’s mouth.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2022
Getting Over the Code Delusion is to a large extent a primer on molecular genetics, cytology, and genomics for the uninitiated.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 6 Oct. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Cytology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytology. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
cytology
noun
cy·tol·o·gy
sī-ˈtäl-ə-jē
plural cytologies
1
a
: 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
Mayo Clinic Health Lettercalled also cytopathology
cytological
adjective
or cytologic
cytological examination
cytologic techniques
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