red blood cell
noun
variants
or less commonly red blood corpuscle
or red cell
or red corpuscle
: any of the hemoglobin-containing cells that carry oxygen to the tissues and in mammals are typically biconcave disks which lack a nucleus and cellular organelles and are formed from nucleated cells of the red bone marrow
Note: The number of red blood cells ranges from four to six million in each cubic millimeter of normal human blood. The red color of blood is due to the presence of hemoglobin within the red blood cells.
called also erythrocyte
compare white blood cellExamples of red blood cell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Several common causes include iron deficiency, deficiency of other vitamins required for the production of red blood cells, and when bleeding causes loss of red blood cells and hemoglobin faster than they can be replaced.
—
Kristen Rogers, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
This examines the shape and size of your red blood cells.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 8 Mar. 2025
Hemophilia: Blood transfusion or medication to increase red blood cell production can help replace low red blood cells.
—Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, HELLP syndrome stands for Hemolysis (the breaking down of red blood cells), Elevated Liver Enzyme Levels, and Low Platelet Levels, which most commonly occurs in the third trimester.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red blood cell
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kristen Rogers, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
This examines the shape and size of your red blood cells.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 8 Mar. 2025
Hemophilia: Blood transfusion or medication to increase red blood cell production can help replace low red blood cells.
—Steffini Stalos, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, HELLP syndrome stands for Hemolysis (the breaking down of red blood cells), Elevated Liver Enzyme Levels, and Low Platelet Levels, which most commonly occurs in the third trimester.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for red blood cell
Cite this Entry
“Red blood cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20blood%20cell. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share