red blood cell

noun

variants or less commonly red blood corpuscle or red cell or red corpuscle
: any of the hemoglobin-containing cells that carry oxygen to the tissues and in mammals are typically biconcave disks which lack a nucleus and cellular organelles and are formed from nucleated cells of the red bone marrow

Note: The number of red blood cells ranges from four to six million in each cubic millimeter of normal human blood. The red color of blood is due to the presence of hemoglobin within the red blood cells.

called also erythrocyte

compare white blood cell

Examples of red blood cell 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.
But with toxic levels of cobalt, the transcription factor is active without low oxygen levels, leading to abnormally high amounts of hemoglobin-carrying red blood cells—explaining the woman’s high hemoglobin levels. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 July 2026 Donors who pass a medical exam can be paid; first-time donors can earn up to $750 within 35 days, with amounts varying by donation volume, red blood cell levels and promotional offers. John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 Among these is folate, which plays an important role in red blood cell production. Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 30 June 2026 Jaundice is caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a substance the body makes when red blood cells break down. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for red blood cell

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red blood cell was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Red blood cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20blood%20cell. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

red blood cell

noun
: a reddish cell of the blood that contains hemoglobin and carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues

called also erythrocyte, red blood corpuscle, red cell, red corpuscle

Medical Definition

red blood cell

noun
: any of the hemoglobin-containing cells that carry oxygen to the tissues and are responsible for the red color of vertebrate blood

called also erythrocyte, red blood corpuscle, red cell, red corpuscle

compare white blood cell

More from Merriam-Webster on red blood cell

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster