eosinophil

1 of 2

adjective

eo·​sin·​o·​phil ˌē-ə-ˈsi-nə-ˌfil How to pronounce eosinophil (audio)

eosinophil

2 of 2

noun

: a granulocyte readily stained by eosin that is present at sites of allergic reactions and parasitic infections

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Elevated eosinophils can also be seen in patients with asthma, and this patient had a history of asthma, but even then eosinophil counts are rarely this high. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 May 2018
Noun
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia occurs when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, rapidly accumulate in the lungs, according to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, 3 Sep. 2019 Drugs, including aspirin and other NSAIDs — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories including ibuprofen — can cause an increase in eosinophils for reasons that are not well understood. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 23 June 2018 Feng had recently completed his residency at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, during which he had been involved in the care of several dozen patients with a similar profile: recurrent sinus infections, asthma and high eosinophil counts. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 23 June 2018 The tiny samples were loaded with eosinophils, up to 100 of the cells per high-powered microscopic field. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 May 2018 Elevated eosinophils can be seen in Crohn’s, although not usually as high as this young woman’s. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 May 2018 Instead, their blood was swarming with another type of immune cell, eosinophils, which provoke allergic reactions. Gina Kolata, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2016 Physicians can now blend standard data like age, race, and medical history, along with molecular data like the composition and amount of a person’s eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that mediates asthma attacks. Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 5 July 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eosinophil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eosinophil was circa 1882

Dictionary Entries Near eosinophil

Cite this Entry

“Eosinophil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eosinophil. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

eosinophil

noun
eo·​sin·​o·​phil
ˌē-ə-ˈsin-ə-ˌfil
: a white blood cell with a granule-containing cytoplasm that is found in the body at sites of allergic reactions and parasitic infections

Medical Definition

eosinophil

1 of 2 adjective
eo·​sin·​o·​phil ˌē-ə-ˈsin-ə-ˌfil How to pronounce eosinophil (audio)
variants also eosinophile

eosinophil

2 of 2 noun
variants also eosinophile
: a white blood cell or other granulocyte with cytoplasmic inclusions readily stained by eosin

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