sickle cell

noun

: an abnormal red blood cell of crescent shape

Examples of sickle cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The launch of a National Health Equity Initiative focused on addressing health challenges such as sickle cell disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, and mental illness that disproportionately affect African-American men. Richard Fowler, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 Throughout their lives, sickle cell patients may experience excruciating bouts of pain, called a sickle cell crisis. Desiree Hadley, Essence, 27 Sep. 2024 This dynamic offers an explanation for why the sickle cell mutation persisted in sub-Saharan Africa, which still has the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease, and spread around the Mediterranean and into the Middle East. Maryn McKenna, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024 Meanwhile, Pfizer last month pulled a key sickle cell disease drug from global markets – the centerpiece of its roughly $5 billion buyout of Global Blood Therapeutics in 2022. Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sickle cell 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sickle cell.' Any 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

circa 1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sickle cell was circa 1923

Dictionary Entries Near sickle cell

Cite this Entry

“Sickle cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sickle%20cell. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sickle cell

noun
: an abnormal red blood cell that is crescent-shaped

Medical Definition

sickle cell

noun
1
: an abnormal rigid, sticky red blood cell of crescent shape
2
: a condition characterized by sickle cells : sickle cell anemia, sickle-cell trait
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!