monocyte

noun

mono·​cyte ˈmä-nə-ˌsīt How to pronounce monocyte (audio)
: a large white blood cell with finely granulated chromatin dispersed throughout the nucleus that is formed in the bone marrow, enters the blood, and migrates into the connective tissue where it differentiates into a macrophage
monocytic adjective

Examples of monocyte 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.
What's more, inside the plaques themselves, the number of monocytes was cut by 81%, compared with untreated mice, and the genes that normally drive inflammation inside the arterial walls were dialed down. New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025 Activation of the protein leads to rapid mobilization of immune cells, including gd T cells, monocytes and neutrophils, which induce inflammation. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025 The experiment uncovered that just one night of sleep deprivation resulted in a disruption in immune cells, or monocytes, in these participants, similar to what was observed in obese participants. SLEEPY DURING THE DAY? Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2025 Blood vessels become increasingly fragile, allowing for the leakage of the likes of inflammation mediators and some immunity cells, like monocytes or macrophages. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025 Right after inducing heart attacks in mice, scientists observed increased activity of immune cells called monocytes that can cause increased sleep, but saw no such activity in mice who were left alone. Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monocyte was circa 1913

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Cite this Entry

“Monocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monocyte. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

monocyte

noun
mono·​cyte ˈmän-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce monocyte (audio)
: a large white blood cell that is formed in the bone marrow and travels to the connective tissues where it develops into a macrophage

Medical Definition

monocyte

noun
mono·​cyte ˈmän-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce monocyte (audio)
: a large white blood cell with finely granulated chromatin dispersed throughout the nucleus that is formed in the bone marrow, enters the blood, and migrates into the connective tissue where it differentiates into a macrophage
monocytic adjective
monocytoid adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on monocyte

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