blood cell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Predominantly technical/medical/scientific, but common in general education and health contexts.
Quick answer
What does “blood cell” mean?
Any of the cells contained in blood, such as red cells (erythrocytes) or white cells (leukocytes), responsible for carrying oxygen and fighting infection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any of the cells contained in blood, such as red cells (erythrocytes) or white cells (leukocytes), responsible for carrying oxygen and fighting infection.
The term can be used figuratively or in specific contexts like 'fuel cell', but its primary use is biological, referring to the functional units of blood in an organism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or syntactic differences in standard usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in medical and general contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “blood cell” in a Sentence
The [adjective] blood cell [verb]...A [noun] of blood cellsBlood cells that/which...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blood cell” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new drug is designed to blood-cell the oxygen more efficiently. (NOTE: 'blood cell' is not used as a verb. This field is not applicable.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The blood-cell count came back normal. (As a compound modifier, often hyphenated.)
American English
- The blood cell morphology was studied under the microscope. (Often open compound as modifier.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical or medical device industries.
Academic
Common in biology, medicine, and health science texts and lectures.
Everyday
Used in discussions of health, medical test results, and general science education.
Technical
The primary register; precise term in haematology and clinical medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blood cell”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blood cell”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blood cell”
- Using uncountable form (e.g., 'the blood cell is important' when meaning the general category). Say 'Blood cells are important'.
- Confusing 'blood cell' with 'blood vessel'.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'bloods cells'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The two main types are red blood cells (erythrocytes), which carry oxygen, and white blood cells (leukocytes), which are part of the immune system.
It is a compound noun, written as two separate words ('blood cell'). It may be hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., blood-cell count).
In adults, most blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones.
No, blood cells are microscopic. A single drop of blood contains millions of them.
Any of the cells contained in blood, such as red cells (erythrocytes) or white cells (leukocytes), responsible for carrying oxygen and fighting infection.
Blood cell is usually predominantly technical/medical/scientific, but common in general education and health contexts. in register.
Blood cell: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌsel/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌsel/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not applicable for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of BLOOD CELL as a tiny room (cell) inside your blood's apartment building, where red cells deliver oxygen (like postal workers) and white cells fight germs (like security guards).
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOOD CELLS ARE WORKERS/CARRIERS (e.g., 'red blood cells carry oxygen', 'white blood cells attack invaders').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a primary function of a red blood cell?