phagocyte

noun

phago·​cyte ˈfa-gə-ˌsīt 

: a cell (such as a macrophage or neutrophil) that engulfs and consumes foreign material (such as microorganisms) and debris (such as dead tissue cells)

phagocytic

ˌfa-gə-ˈsi-tik 

adjective

Examples of phagocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, a new study led by La Trobe University has identified a physical trace left by dying cells that attaches to surfaces and could help direct phagocytes to the exact spot of death. — New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025

And eventually the cell just disintegrates and gets eaten by circulating phagocytes. — Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

Some immune cells, like phagocytes, produce reactive oxygen species to kill microbes. — Merve Ceylan, Health, 21 Oct. 2024

The target cell breaks down to nothing inside the phagocyte without stimulating inflammation or other side effects. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek phagein + New Latin -cyta -cyte

First Known Use

circa 1884, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing phagocyte

• mononuclear phagocyte system

Rhymes for phagocyte

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

phagocyte

noun

phago·​cyte ˈfag-ə-ˌsīt 

: a cell (as a white blood cell) that takes in and breaks down foreign material (as bacteria) and waste

Medical Definition

phagocyte

1 of 2 noun

phago·​cyte ˈfag-ə-ˌsīt 

: a cell (as a macrophage or neutrophil) that engulfs and consumes foreign material (as microorganisms) and debris (as dead tissue cells)

phagocyte

2 of 2 transitive verb

phagocyted; phagocyting

: phagocytose