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

These proteins then stick to macrophage receptors which triggers them to produce even more of this inflammatory protein. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2024

The macrophage eats the virus, creating antigens that kick-start T-cells, which then activate B-cells to help white blood cells attack the cold virus. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 11 June 2024

These complexes establish productive cellular infections in macrophages that result in the release of high concentrations of toxic NS1, a viral protein that damages cells' endothelium and produces dengue shock syndrome. —Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024

The macrophages, and their signals, were somehow promoting tumor development. —Siddhartha Mukherjee, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023

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