macrophage

noun

mac·​ro·​phage ˈma-krə-ˌfāj How to pronounce macrophage (audio)
: 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
macrophagic adjective

Examples of macrophage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Among their many important roles in maintaining human health on a microbiological level, macrophages, which are white blood cells critical to the immune system, seek out pathogens and then engulf and digest them. New Atlas, 5 Feb. 2025 The immune system responds to these accumulations, sending macrophage white blood cells to engulf the cholesterol, which then turn into foam cells that aggregate in the skin, forming the yellowish plaques characteristic of xanthelasma. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for macrophage 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of macrophage was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near macrophage

Cite this Entry

“Macrophage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macrophage. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

macrophage

noun
mac·​ro·​phage ˈmak-rə-ˌfāj How to pronounce macrophage (audio)
: a large phagocyte of the immune system

Medical Definition

macrophage

noun
mac·​ro·​phage ˈmak-rə-ˌfāj How to pronounce macrophage (audio) -ˌfäzh How to pronounce macrophage (audio)
: 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
macrophagic adjective

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