macrophage

noun

mac·​ro·​phage ˈma-krə-ˌfāj 

: a phagocytic tissue cell of the immune system that may be fixed or freely motile, is derived from a monocyte, functions in the destruction of foreign antigens (such as bacteria and viruses), and serves as an antigen-presenting cell compare histiocyte

macrophagic

ˌma-krə-ˈfa-jik 

adjective

Examples of macrophage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of these cells, called macrophages, recognize invasive microbes as foreign and swallow them up. —Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

For the new study, the team used CD47-blocking nanoparticles that are more targeted towards monocytes and macrophages, two types of immune cell that are associated with inflammation in plaques. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024

She was struck by her observation that macrophages, amoebalike cells in the immune system, had the most vaults of any human cells. —Byjohn Travis, science.org, 6 June 2024

Smoke can also hamper what's called the macrophage function, the ability of lungs to protect themselves. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Makrophagen (plural), from makro- macro- + -phagen, plural of -phage -phage

Note: Introduced, along with Mikrophagen "microphages," by Élie metchnikoff in "Ueber den Kampf der Zellen gegen Erysipelkokken," Archiv für pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie, Band 107 (1887), p. 222.

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

macrophage

noun

mac·​ro·​phage ˈmak-rə-ˌfāj 

: a large phagocyte of the immune system

Medical Definition

macrophage

noun

mac·​ro·​phage ˈmak-rə-ˌfāj  -ˌfäzh 

: a phagocytic tissue cell of the immune system that may be fixed or freely motile, is derived from a monocyte, functions in the destruction of foreign antigens (as bacteria and viruses), and serves as an antigen-presenting cell see histiocyte, mononuclear phagocyte system

macrophagic

ˌmak-rə-ˈfaj-ik 

adjective