white blood cell

noun

: any of the blood cells that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

called also leukocyte, white blood corpuscle, white cell

compare red blood cell

Examples of white blood cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This liquid, now called lymph, flows through your nodes, which, again, act as filters, trapping suspicious components and deploying an army of white blood cells against them. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024

The tonsils contain a plethora of white blood cells that help your body fight off infection and disease, according to Cleveland Clinic. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Lymphoproliferative disorders are a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled production of white blood cells called lymphocytes, according to Healthline. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in white blood cells called lymphocytes, affecting the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

white blood cell

noun

: a colorless blood cell (as a lymphocyte) that lacks hemoglobin and contains a nucleus

called also leukocyte, white blood corpuscle, white cell, white corpuscle

Medical Definition

white blood cell

noun

: any of the blood cells of the immune system that are colorless, lack hemoglobin, contain a nucleus, and include the lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils along with their precursors and derivatives (as macrophages) : leukocyte

—abbreviation WBC

called also white blood corpuscle, white cell, white corpuscle

compare red blood cell