: a lymphocyte (such as a killer T cell or a natural killer cell) with cytotoxic activity
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThe group of immune cells that surge during and after short bouts of exercise, which include neutrophils and natural-killer cells, serve as our frontline defense against invading viruses. Katarina Zimmer, Outside Online, 27 Mar. 2020 The checkpoint inhibitors allow powerful immune cells to recognize and hone in on cancer cells and co-opt killer cells to destroy them. Alice Park, Time, 12 July 2018
Word History
First Known Use
1972, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
killer cell
noun
: a lymphocyte (as a cytotoxic T cell or a natural killer cell) with cytotoxic activity