leukocyte
noun
leu·ko·cyte
ˈlü-kə-ˌsīt 
: any of the colorless blood cells of the immune system including the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and their derivatives : white blood cell
Examples of leukocyte in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The shock of the cold water triggers the release of infection-fighting white blood cells called leukocytes, which hunt out and destroy any circulating viruses in your bloodstream.
—
Georgia Day, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2023
Starting in the 1980s, for example, researchers discovered that a type of leukocyte called a natural killer cell is abundant on the uterine side of the maternal-fetal interface.
—Adrian Erlebacher, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2017
The researchers looked at the gene expression in leukocytes, which are white blood cells made in the bone marrow that create proteins to ward off pathogens.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2023
The trophoblasts from the fetus maintain an ongoing dialogue with these leukocytes and other uterine cells to keep the placenta working properly.
—Adrian Erlebacher, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2017
Scientists analyze the human leukocyte antigens (HLA), which are proteins -- or markers -- found on the surface of most cells in the body and make up a person's tissue type.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2021
Miescher would then wash the pus off the bandages and filter out the leukocytes in order to determine the exact proteins in white blood cells.
—Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 11 Dec. 2019
The manufacture of white blood cells, or leukocytes, also seems to be regulated by the clock.
—Quanta Magazine, 30 May 2019
Around the same time, calves were being stillborn with a condition called bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency.
—Maureen O’Hagan, Quartz, 24 June 2019
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Georgia Day, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2023
Starting in the 1980s, for example, researchers discovered that a type of leukocyte called a natural killer cell is abundant on the uterine side of the maternal-fetal interface.
—Adrian Erlebacher, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2017
The researchers looked at the gene expression in leukocytes, which are white blood cells made in the bone marrow that create proteins to ward off pathogens.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2023
The trophoblasts from the fetus maintain an ongoing dialogue with these leukocytes and other uterine cells to keep the placenta working properly.
—Adrian Erlebacher, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2017
Scientists analyze the human leukocyte antigens (HLA), which are proteins -- or markers -- found on the surface of most cells in the body and make up a person's tissue type.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2021
Miescher would then wash the pus off the bandages and filter out the leukocytes in order to determine the exact proteins in white blood cells.
—Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian, 11 Dec. 2019
The manufacture of white blood cells, or leukocytes, also seems to be regulated by the clock.
—Quanta Magazine, 30 May 2019
Around the same time, calves were being stillborn with a condition called bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency.
—Maureen O’Hagan, Quartz, 24 June 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leukocyte.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing leukocyte
Dictionary Entries Near leukocyte
Cite this Entry
“Leukocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leukocyte. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
leukocyte
noun
leu·ko·cyte
ˈlü-kə-ˌsīt
Medical Definition
leukocyte
noun
leu·ko·cyte
variants
or chiefly British leucocyte
: any of the colorless blood cells of the immune system including the neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and their derivatives : white blood cell
More from Merriam-Webster on leukocyte
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leukocyte
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