What does lymphocyte mean?
A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell that forms part of the immune system. It is found mainly in the blood, lymph nodes, spleen, and other lymphatic tissues, and helps the body recognise, control, and respond to infection. B lymphocytes make antibodies, while T lymphocytes recognise infected or abnormal cells and coordinate other immune cells. Doctors may discuss a patient’s lymphocyte count when investigating infection, inflammation, immune deficiency, or certain blood disorders. The word is most often used in medicine, biology, and health reporting, though it is also important in immunology research. Although lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cell, the term is not interchangeable with “white blood cell” in every context: white blood cells include several other groups, such as neutrophils and monocytes.
nounA type of white blood cell found in the blood and lymphatic tissues that participates in the immune system’s defence against infection and disease. The main kinds include B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies, and T lymphocytes, which coordinate and carry out immune responses.
- A white blood cell of the immune system, found in blood and lymphatic tissues, that helps protect the body against infection and disease.
"The blood test revealed an unusually high lymphocyte count."
"A lymphocyte count can help doctors assess whether a patient’s immune system is responding to infection."
"Researchers are studying how specialised lymphocytes recognise and attack tumour cells."
The usual plural form, used when referring to multiple immune cells.
"The laboratory found an increased number of lymphocytes in the blood sample."
Lymphocytes are the body’s cellular intelligence network: some recognise invaders, while others coordinate the immune response or manufacture antibodies.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lymphocyte come from?
The word combines “lymph,” from Latin lympha, meaning “water” or “lymph,” with the combining form “-cyte,” from Greek kytos, meaning “cell.” The suffix was used in biology to denote a particular kind of cell, as in leukocyte and erythrocyte. The word entered medical usage in the 19th century as understanding of the cellular composition of blood and the immune system developed.
Related word forms
How lymphocyte is actually used
In general medical and scientific usage, “lymphocyte” is a precise term for a family of immune cells rather than a synonym for all white blood cells. In everyday discussion, it is usually used in connection with blood tests, immune disorders, and infections.