osteocyte

noun

os·​te·​o·​cyte ˈä-stē-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce osteocyte (audio)
: a cell that is characteristic of adult bone and is isolated in a lacuna of the bone substance

Word History

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of osteocyte was in 1918

Dictionary Entries Near osteocyte

Cite this Entry

“Osteocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/osteocyte. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

osteocyte

noun
os·​te·​o·​cyte ˈäs-tē-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce osteocyte (audio)
: a bone cell that develops from an osteoblast trapped in one of the tiny spaces in bone

Medical Definition

osteocyte

noun
os·​teo·​cyte ˈäs-tē-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce osteocyte (audio)
: a cell that is characteristic of adult bone and is isolated in a lacuna of the bone substance

More from Merriam-Webster on osteocyte

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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