-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
macrophage
noun
mac·ro·phage
ˈma-krə-ˌfāj
: a phagocytic tissue cell of the immune system that may be fixed or freely motile, is derived from a monocyte, functions in the destruction of foreign antigens (such as bacteria and viruses), and serves as an antigen-presenting cell compare histiocyte
Examples of macrophage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Blood vessels become increasingly fragile, allowing for the leakage of the likes of inflammation mediators and some immunity cells, like monocytes or macrophages.
—Jennifer Weil, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025
Amino acids regulate the activation of white blood cells like lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages, which protect your body from getting sick and fight infection.29
Chicken provides zinc, selenium, and B vitamins, which are also necessary for immune response.3
13.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Dec. 2024
Some of these cells, called macrophages, recognize invasive microbes as foreign and swallow them up.
—Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
For the new study, the team used CD47-blocking nanoparticles that are more targeted towards monocytes and macrophages, two types of immune cell that are associated with inflammation in plaques.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for macrophage
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from German Makrophagen (plural), from makro- macro- + -phagen, plural of -phage -phage
Note: Introduced, along with Mikrophagen "microphages," by Élie metchnikoff in "Ueber den Kampf der Zellen gegen Erysipelkokken," Archiv für pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie, Band 107 (1887), p. 222.
First Known Use
1887, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near macrophage
Cite this Entry
“Macrophage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macrophage. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
macrophage
noun
mac·ro·phage
ˈmak-rə-ˌfāj
: a large phagocyte of the immune system
Medical Definition
macrophage
noun
mac·ro·phage
ˈmak-rə-ˌfāj
-ˌfäzh
: a phagocytic tissue cell of the immune system that may be fixed or freely motile, is derived from a monocyte, functions in the destruction of foreign antigens (as bacteria and viruses), and serves as an antigen-presenting cell see histiocyte, mononuclear phagocyte system
More from Merriam-Webster on macrophage
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about macrophage
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share