monocyte

noun

mono·​cyte ˈmä-nə-ˌsīt 

: 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

ˌmä-nə-ˈsi-tik 

adjective

Examples of monocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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 samples were taken to measure cytokines and chemokines, signaling proteins that help regulate inflammation and immune activity, and monocytes, white blood cells that help fight infection and heal damage. —New Atlas, 25 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

In previous research, scientists who studied a small group of healthy people found that those who slept well had more monocytes than those who slept poorly, underscoring the importance of these immune cells in sleep regulation. —Lisa Rapaport, EverydayHealth.com, 1 Nov. 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

Further experiments showed that the Tregs caused monocytes and macrophages in damaged tissue to switch to an anti-inflammatory state, specifically by secreting signaling molecules like interleukin-10 (IL-10). —New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024

The lowering of monocytes, a type of white blood cell, is one way inflammation is hindered. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for monocyte

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

monocyte

noun

mono·​cyte ˈmän-ə-ˌsīt 

: 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 

: 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

ˌmän-ə-ˈsit-ik 

adjective

monocytoid

-ˈsīt-ˌȯid 

adjective