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

Blood tests: Taking blood samples can help detect signs of infection, such as an elevated white blood cell count. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 29 Dec. 2024

Suzuki, who served as the CEO of Suzuki Motor from 1978 to 2015, died of malignant lymphoma, a type of cancer that occurs when white blood cells become cancerous and form lumps in the lymph nodes and organs. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, NHL or lymphoma) is a blood cancer that originates in the white blood cells (lymphocytes) that are part of the body’s immune system, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2024

Multiple myeloma affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell produced in the bone marrow. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Sep. 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