platelet

noun

plate·​let ˈplāt-lət How to pronounce platelet (audio)
: 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
With aspirin, these platelet changes cannot be undone and will remain an issue until new platelets form in seven to 10 days. Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 19 Oct. 2024 Those participants were also significantly more likely to form blood clots, measured by an increase in platelet aggregation. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Aug. 2024 Adults who drank the normal sugar drink had no changes in platelet aggregation. Caroline Hopkins, NBC News, 8 Aug. 2024 In contrast, platelet activity stayed the same in the group that drank sugar water. Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for platelet 

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of platelet was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near platelet

Cite this Entry

“Platelet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platelet. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

platelet

noun
plate·​let ˈplāt-lət How to pronounce platelet (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce platelet (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on platelet

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