What does phagocytose mean?
Phagocytose is a specialized verb meaning to engulf material through phagocytosis. In this process, certain cells—especially macrophages, neutrophils, and other phagocytic immune cells—surround a particle, such as a bacterium, bring it inside the cell, and subject it to chemical breakdown. The word is chiefly used in biology, medicine, immunology, and related scientific disciplines. Its occurrence in ordinary conversation is rare, so the more familiar noun phagocytosis is generally preferred when describing the process as a whole. A related distinction is that a phagocyte is the cell performing the action, while phagocytose names the action itself. The term is useful in explaining how the immune system removes pathogens and how cells ingest particles or other cells through membrane engulfment.
verbTo engulf and ingest material by phagocytosis, especially by a cell such as a macrophage or neutrophil.
- To engulf material by phagocytosis, as a cell engulfs bacteria, particles, or other cells.
"Macrophages phagocytose bacteria and cellular debris during the immune response."
"The neutrophil phagocytosed the invading microorganism."
"Certain immune cells can phagocytose large quantities of debris at the site of an injury."
Every time an immune cell swallows a bacterium, it is carrying out phagocytosis—and phagocytose is the action doing the swallowing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does phagocytose come from?
The word combines Greek roots meaning “eat” and “cell,” reflecting the process by which a cell surrounds and takes in material. It belongs to a family of scientific terms including phagocyte, phagocytosis, phagocytic, and phagosome, all associated with cellular ingestion.
Related word forms
How phagocytose is actually used
This is a technical biological verb used primarily in scientific and medical contexts. It usually takes a material, pathogen, particle, or cell as its object and is more common in professional writing than everyday speech.
Easily confused with phagocytose
A phagocyte is the cell that performs phagocytosis, whereas phagocytose is the verb describing the engulfment process.