lymphocyte

noun

lym·​pho·​cyte ˈlim(p)-fə-ˌsīt 

: any of the colorless weakly motile cells originating from stem cells and differentiating in lymphoid tissue (as of the thymus or bone marrow) that are the typical cellular elements of lymph, include the cellular mediators of immunity, and constitute 20 to 30 percent of the white blood cells of normal human blood compare b cell, t cell

lymphocytic

ˌlim(p)-fə-ˈsi-tik 

adjective

Examples of lymphocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are both blood cancers that begin in lymphocytes. —Barbara Brody, Health, 9 Nov. 2023

The team also estimated humans have about four times more total lymphocytes in our bodies than previously thought. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023

The white blood cells that fight against infections are called lymphocytes. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 24 Sep. 2023

That's because high iodine intake can initiate and exacerbate infiltration of the thyroid by lymphocytes, the white blood cells that accumulate due to chronic injury or irritation. —Mary Shomon, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2023

Instead, staging is based on the level of lymphocytes in the blood; the presence or absence of enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, or liver; and your platelet and red blood cell count.17 Ashley Cain's 8-Month-Old Daughter Dies of Leukemia—What Are the Signs of Infant Leukemia? —Barbara Brody, Health, 11 Aug. 2023

Some affect the lymphocytes, while others affect the granulocytes (the two main types of white cells). —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 31 July 2023

Instead, the field began noticing the involvement of intraepithelial lymphocytes, or T-IELs, a population of T cells in the GI tract. —Isabella Cueto, STAT, 14 July 2023

Cutaneous t-cell lymphoma (CTL) is actually a type of skin cancer, relating to abnormal immune cells called lymphocytes. —Sarah Bradley, Women's Health, 20 June 2023

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Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lymphocyte

• T lymphocyte
• B lymphocyte
• cytotoxic T lymphocyte
• cytolytic T lymphocyte
• killer T lymphocyte

• T lymphocyte
• B lymphocyte
• cytotoxic T lymphocyte
• cytolytic T lymphocyte
• killer T lymphocyte

Kids Definition

lymphocyte

noun

lym·​pho·​cyte ˈlim(p)-fə-ˌsīt 

: any of the white blood cells that arise in the bone marrow, are found especially in special tissue (as of the lymph nodes and spleen), blood, and lymph, and play an important role in the immune response compare b cell, t cell

Medical Definition

lymphocyte

noun

lym·​pho·​cyte ˈlim(p)-fə-ˌsīt 

: any of the colorless weakly motile cells that originate from stem cells and differentiate in lymphoid tissue (as of the thymus or bone marrow), that are the typical cellular elements of lymph, that include the cellular mediators of immunity, and that constitute 20 to 30 percent of the white blood cells of normal human blood see b cell, t cell

lymphocytic

ˌlim(p)-fə-ˈsit-ik 

adjective