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

Richard says she was diagnosed in 2010 with anemia, a low white blood cell count and arthralgia, or joint stiffness caused by overuse, sprains and infections such as rheumatic fever and chickenpox. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 12 Sep. 2024

IgE can bind to the surface of mast cells or basophils (types of white blood cells) and trigger hypersensitive reactions in response to allergens. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 8 Sep. 2024

That's because hypochlorous acid is produced naturally by your skin, created by your white blood cells to defend against infection and bacteria. —Myranda Mondry, Allure, 4 July 2024

One, a 29-year-old male in Minnesota, sought care for a mysterious illness marked by fever, severe muscle pains, swelling around his eyes (periorbital edema), high levels of infection-fighting white blood cells (eosinophilia, a common response to parasites), and other laboratory anomalies. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 23 May 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