: a minute flattened body (as of ice or a mineral)
especially
: a minute colorless disklike body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and to damaged epithelium
called also blood platelet, thrombocyte
Examples of platelet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The decreased platelet count, necessary for clotting, that was first detected Saturday was stable.
—
Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
Various things can cause low platelet counts, including side effects from medicines or infections, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025
Research has also found long-term exposure can result in anemia, which can leave patients feeling weak and tired; a low white blood cell count, which debilitates the immune system; and a low platelet count, which leads to excessive bleeding and bruising.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
His extensive treatment and multiple infections have called for blood and platelet transfusions, ongoing infusions and continued hospitalizations.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
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Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
Various things can cause low platelet counts, including side effects from medicines or infections, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025
Research has also found long-term exposure can result in anemia, which can leave patients feeling weak and tired; a low white blood cell count, which debilitates the immune system; and a low platelet count, which leads to excessive bleeding and bruising.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025
His extensive treatment and multiple infections have called for blood and platelet transfusions, ongoing infusions and continued hospitalizations.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for platelet
Cite this Entry
“Platelet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platelet. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
platelet
noun
plate·let
ˈplāt-lət 
: one of the tiny colorless disk-shaped bodies of the blood of mammals that assist in blood clotting
Medical Definition
platelet
noun
plate·let
ˈplāt-lət
: a minute colorless anucleate disklike body of mammalian blood that is derived from fragments of megakaryocyte cytoplasm, that is released from the bone marrow into the blood, and that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and to damaged epithelium
called also blood platelet, thrombocyte
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