-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
: 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
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
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1888, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing platelet
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
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on platelet
Britannica English: Translation of platelet for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about platelet
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share