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
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.
Myeloma is a type of cancer that forms in white blood cells and can cause bone pain and fatigue, per Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026 Longer-term exposure increases the risk of cancers of the white blood cells, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as breast cancer. Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Using white blood cells from humans infected with hantavirus, the researchers identified antibodies—proteins in the immune system that can identify and neutralize pathogens—that may be able to combat different strains of the virus. Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 May 2026 Gleevec was able to switch the abnormal enzyme off, shutting down the cell overgrowth and letting patients' white blood cell counts return to normal. Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for white blood cell

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white blood cell was in 1852

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“White blood cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20blood%20cell. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on white 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