exocytosis

noun

exo·​cy·​to·​sis ˌek-sō-sī-ˈtō-səs 

plural exocytoses ˌek-sō-sī-ˈtō-ˌsēz 

: the release of cellular substances (such as secretory products) contained in cell vesicles by fusion of the vesicular membrane with the plasma membrane and subsequent release of the contents to the exterior of the cell

exocytotic

ˌek-sō-sī-ˈtä-tik 

adjective

Examples of exocytosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once packaged, coronaviruses leave their host cell via an export system that's normally used to send material to the cell's surface (a process called exocytosis). —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from exo- + cyt- + -osis

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

exocytosis

noun

exo·​cy·​to·​sis ˌek-sō-sī-ˈtō-səs 

: the process by which a cell discharges material by enclosing it in a vesicle which fuses with the cell membrane

Medical Definition

exocytosis

noun

exo·​cy·​to·​sis ˌek-sō-sī-ˈtō-səs 

plural exocytoses -ˌsēz 

: the release of cellular substances (as secretory products) contained in cell vesicles by fusion of the vesicular membrane with the plasma membrane and subsequent release of the contents to the exterior of the cell

exocytotic

-ˈtät-ik 

adjective