foam cell

noun

: a swollen vacuolated macrophage filled with lipid inclusions that often accumulates along arterial walls and is characteristic of some conditions of disturbed lipid metabolism

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foam cell was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near foam cell

Cite this Entry

“Foam cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foam%20cell. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

foam cell

noun
: a swollen vacuolated macrophage filled with lipid inclusions that often accumulates along arterial walls and is characteristic of some conditions of disturbed lipid metabolism
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!