T lymphocyte
noun
: any of several lymphocytes (such as a helper T cell) that differentiate in the thymus, possess highly specific cell-surface antigen receptors, and include some that control the initiation or suppression of cell-mediated and humoral immunity (as by the regulation of T and B cell maturation and proliferation) and others that lyse antigen-bearing cells : t cell
T lymphocytes differentiate in the thymus and interact directly with other cells to regulate the immune response or to kill cells expressing the appropriate antigen.—
Alan F. Williams
Alan F. WilliamsActivation of a T lymphocyte requires occupancy of its antigen-specific cell surface receptor … by its appropriate ligand (processed antigen presented by class I or class II MHC molecules) and a second signal from a growth factor.—Suryaprakash R. Sambhara et al.
compare b lymphocyte
Suryaprakash R. Sambhara et al.Examples of T lymphocyte in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His physician, David Golde of UCLA, found a rare T lymphocyte in Moore’s blood that could be coaxed into making an immune-boosting protein.
—Delthia Ricks, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2010
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Delthia Ricks, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2010
Cite this Entry
“T lymphocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/T%20lymphocyte. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share