osteoclast
noun
os·te·o·clast
ˈä-stē-ə-ˌklast 
: any of the large multinucleate cells closely associated with areas of bone resorption
Examples of osteoclast in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Having narrowed down the likely culprit, the researchers sought to target and remove the senescent osteoclasts.
—
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
But in certain situations, the osteoclasts ended up misbehaving, leading to excessive pore formation in the endplates of the spine.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
Meanwhile, in the marrow cavity, osteoclasts are eroding the bone that was deposited early in life, and other cells are making secondary bone tissue along the perimeter of the cavity or invading the cortex (outer layer) of the remaining bone to remodel it.
—Kevin Padian, Scientific American, 1 May 2014
Cells called osteoclasts hollow out the center of a long bone, such as the femur (thigh) or tibia (shin), by breaking down existing bone and allowing its nutrients to be recycled.
—Kevin Padian, Scientific American, 1 May 2014
Resorption is the breakdown of old bones by osteoclasts, a type of bone cell.
—Susan Scutti, CNN, 8 May 2017
The first, osteoclasts, break down bone tissue as part of the process of repairing and maintaining any damage.
—Danny Lewis, Smithsonian, 16 Jan. 2017
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
But in certain situations, the osteoclasts ended up misbehaving, leading to excessive pore formation in the endplates of the spine.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
Meanwhile, in the marrow cavity, osteoclasts are eroding the bone that was deposited early in life, and other cells are making secondary bone tissue along the perimeter of the cavity or invading the cortex (outer layer) of the remaining bone to remodel it.
—Kevin Padian, Scientific American, 1 May 2014
Cells called osteoclasts hollow out the center of a long bone, such as the femur (thigh) or tibia (shin), by breaking down existing bone and allowing its nutrients to be recycled.
—Kevin Padian, Scientific American, 1 May 2014
Resorption is the breakdown of old bones by osteoclasts, a type of bone cell.
—Susan Scutti, CNN, 8 May 2017
The first, osteoclasts, break down bone tissue as part of the process of repairing and maintaining any damage.
—Danny Lewis, Smithsonian, 16 Jan. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'osteoclast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near osteoclast
Cite this Entry
“Osteoclast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteoclast. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
osteoclast
noun
os·teo·clast
ˈäs-tē-ə-ˌklast
1
: any of the large multinucleate cells closely associated with areas of bone resorption (as in a fracture that is healing) compare chondroclast
2
: an instrument for performing osteoclasis
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share