# macrophage

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmækɹɔʊː.feɪd͡ʒ/ · frequency rank #56,890

## Definitions
1. A white blood cell that phagocytizes necrotic cell debris and foreign material, including viruses, bacteria, and tattoo ink. It presents foreign antigens on MHC II to lymphocytes. Part of the innate immune system.

## Etymology
From macro- + -phage, both from Ancient Greek.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/macrophage