leukocytosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “leukocytosis” mean?
An increased number of white blood cells in the blood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An increased number of white blood cells in the blood.
A laboratory finding or condition characterized by a higher-than-normal count of leukocytes (white blood cells), often in response to infection, inflammation, trauma, or other physiological stress. It is a sign of the body's immune system being activated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The British spelling is typically "leucocytosis", while the American spelling is "leukocytosis". The 'k' vs 'c' in the first syllable follows the general US/UK pattern for words derived from Greek 'leukos' (white).
Connotations
None beyond the spelling difference. The medical meaning is identical.
Frequency
Equally common in medical discourse in both regions, used exclusively by healthcare professionals and in scientific literature.
Grammar
How to Use “leukocytosis” in a Sentence
The patient developed leukocytosis.Leukocytosis is indicative of an underlying infection.The lab report noted a leukocytosis of 15,000.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “leukocytosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The infection caused the patient to leucocytose.
- The bone marrow may leucocytose in response to cytokines.
American English
- The infection caused the patient to leukocytose.
- The bone marrow may leukocytose in response to cytokines.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used.
American English
- Not typically used.
adjective
British English
- The leucocytotic response was vigorous.
- A leucocytotic blood picture was observed.
American English
- The leukocytotic response was vigorous.
- A leukocytotic blood picture was observed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and health science research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used by a doctor explaining a lab result to a patient.
Technical
Core term in clinical medicine, hematology, pathology, and nursing. Used in patient notes, lab reports, and medical discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “leukocytosis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “leukocytosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “leukocytosis”
- Misspelling (leucocytosis/leukocytosis).
- Pronouncing the 'k'/'c' as a hard 'k' sound in the British variant (it's soft).
- Confusing it with 'leukemia' (a cancer of white blood cells).
- Using it in non-medical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, leukocytosis is not a disease itself. It is a laboratory finding or sign that indicates the body is responding to something, such as an infection, inflammation, or stress.
Leukocytosis is a general increase in white blood cells, often reactive and temporary. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by the uncontrolled production of abnormal white blood cells. All leukemia patients have a form of leukocytosis, but most leukocytosis is not leukemia.
Yes, mild leukocytosis can be a normal physiological response to stress, exercise, or pregnancy. It becomes clinically significant when the count is very high or persists without an obvious cause.
Treatment is directed at the underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for an infection). The leukocytosis itself usually resolves when the cause is addressed.
An increased number of white blood cells in the blood.
Leukocytosis is usually technical / medical in register.
Leukocytosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌluː.kəʊ.saɪˈtəʊ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌluː.koʊ.saɪˈtoʊ.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term is purely technical.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LEUKO (white, as in leukocyte/white cell) + CYTOSIS (condition of cells). It's the 'condition of having too many white cells'.
Conceptual Metaphor
The body's army is mobilizing (increased soldiers/white cells in the bloodstream).
Practice
Quiz
Leukocytosis most directly indicates: