pinocytosis

noun

pi·​no·​cy·​to·​sis ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-,
-ˌsī-
plural pinocytoses ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-,
-ˌsī-
: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane
pinocytotic
ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-tik How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-
-ˌsī-
adjective
or pinocytic
ˌpi-nə-ˈsī-tik How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-
pinocytotically
ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-
-ˌsī-
adverb

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pinein to drink + New Latin cyt- + -osis — more at potable

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinocytosis was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near pinocytosis

pinochle rummy

pinocytosis

Pinoki

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pinocytosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinocytosis. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

pinocytosis

noun
pi·​no·​cy·​to·​sis ˌpin-ə-sə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio) ˌpīn- How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
-ˌsī-
plural pinocytoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane

More from Merriam-Webster on pinocytosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinocytosis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...