phagocytose
/ˈfæɡəsaɪtoʊz/
verb
- To engulf and destroy by a cell, especially a white blood cell, as part of the immune response.
- White blood cells phagocytose bacteria to fight infection.
- Scientists study how macrophages phagocytose pathogens in the lab.
- The immune system can phagocytose dead cells and clean up the body.