Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

killer cell

noun

Definition of killer cell

: a lymphocyte (such as a killer T cell or a natural killer cell) with cytotoxic activity

First Known Use of killer cell

1972

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

killer cell

noun

medical Definition of killer cell

: a lymphocyte (as a cytotoxic T cell or a natural killer cell) with cytotoxic activity

Learn More about killer cell

  1. See words that rhyme with killer cell

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up killer cell? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

nonchalant

play

having an air of easy unconcern

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  2. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  3. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  4. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  5. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

killer cell

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games