eosinophil

1 of 2

adjective

eo·​sin·​o·​phil ˌē-ə-ˈsi-nə-ˌfil How to pronounce eosinophil (audio)

eosinophil

2 of 2

noun

: a granulocyte readily stained by eosin that is present at sites of allergic reactions and parasitic infections

Examples of eosinophil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
These findings suggest that Dupixent may be a good add-on therapy for people who have high eosinophil levels that suggest inflammation in their lungs and who don’t get enough symptom relief from COPD inhalers, says Hanania. Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Sep. 2024 The research has also suggested a role for a certain type of vitamin D (gamma-tocopherol) that appears to calm the eosinophil response to pollution. Linda Carroll, TIME, 30 May 2024 Elevated eosinophils can also be seen in patients with asthma, and this patient had a history of asthma, but even then eosinophil counts are rarely this high. Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 16 May 2018
Noun
An important part of the immune system, eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can cause inflammation in the lungs and exacerbate breathing problems. Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Sep. 2024 In people with EoE, exposure to allergens, such as food or environmental allergens, causes eosinophils to collect in the esophagus, leading to inflammation. Lindsay Curtis, Health, 13 July 2024 Six days later, one of the family members, a 29-year-old man, was hospitalized with symptoms including fever, severe muscle aches and pains, swelling around the eyes, and eosinophils (high count of white blood cells that support the immune system). Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 25 May 2024 Her blood had high levels of eosinophils, white blood cells known to fight off parasitic infections. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2023 The number of allergic eosinophil cells had declined. Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 The most common diagnosis from infection is eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, in which the brain and spinal cord and the meninges membranes surrounding the two becomes enormously inflamed due to the larva activating a type of white blood cell known as an eosinophil. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2012 Acute eosinophilic pneumonia occurs when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, rapidly accumulate in the lungs, according to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, 3 Sep. 2019 Drugs, including aspirin and other NSAIDs — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories including ibuprofen — can cause an increase in eosinophils for reasons that are not well understood. Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 23 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1882, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eosinophil was circa 1882

Dictionary Entries Near eosinophil

Cite this Entry

“Eosinophil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eosinophil. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

eosinophil

noun
eo·​sin·​o·​phil
ˌē-ə-ˈsin-ə-ˌfil
: a white blood cell with a granule-containing cytoplasm that is found in the body at sites of allergic reactions and parasitic infections

Medical Definition

eosinophil

1 of 2 adjective
eo·​sin·​o·​phil ˌē-ə-ˈsin-ə-ˌfil How to pronounce eosinophil (audio)
variants also eosinophile

eosinophil

2 of 2 noun
variants also eosinophile
: a white blood cell or other granulocyte with cytoplasmic inclusions readily stained by eosin

More from Merriam-Webster on eosinophil

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