sickle cell

noun

: an abnormal red blood cell of crescent shape

Examples of sickle cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In July, the FDA approved the first gene therapy for children as young as two with sickle cell disease and awarded grants to expand access to care. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 More broadly, efforts to create a more robust sickle cell disease care network nationally has been the work of the National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers, of which sickle cell centers at both UAB and MUSC are participating members. — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Both Lloyd and Plancher experienced complications of sickle cell trait. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Single variants in coding DNA can cause diseases such as Tay-Sachs and sickle cell anemia. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sickle cell

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickle cell was circa 1923

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Cite this Entry

“Sickle cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickle%20cell. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

sickle cell

noun
: an abnormal red blood cell that is crescent-shaped

Medical Definition

sickle cell

noun
1
: an abnormal rigid, sticky red blood cell of crescent shape
2
: a condition characterized by sickle cells : sickle cell anemia, sickle-cell trait
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