: a minute flattened body (as of ice or a mineral)
especially
: a minute colorless disklike body of mammalian blood that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and to damaged epithelium
called also blood platelet, thrombocyte
Examples of platelet in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The blood transfusion was necessary because tests showed low platelet counts, associated with anemia, the Vatican said.
—
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Leukemia affects the bone marrow's ability to produce normal blood cells, leading to a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), which can cause petechiae.9
How long does petechiae last?
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
Blood and platelet donations are particularly needed during the holiday season, the organization said.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
Bone Marrow Failure Effects The bone marrow is where infection-fighting white blood cells, oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and platelets that assist in blood clotting are made.
—Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for platelet
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Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Leukemia affects the bone marrow's ability to produce normal blood cells, leading to a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), which can cause petechiae.9
How long does petechiae last?
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
Blood and platelet donations are particularly needed during the holiday season, the organization said.
—Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
Bone Marrow Failure Effects The bone marrow is where infection-fighting white blood cells, oxygen-carrying red blood cells, and platelets that assist in blood clotting are made.
—Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for platelet
Cite this Entry
“Platelet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platelet. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
platelet
noun
plate·let
ˈplāt-lət 
: one of the tiny colorless disk-shaped bodies of the blood of mammals that assist in blood clotting
Medical Definition
platelet
noun
plate·let
ˈplāt-lət
: a minute colorless anucleate disklike body of mammalian blood that is derived from fragments of megakaryocyte cytoplasm, that is released from the bone marrow into the blood, and that assists in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and to damaged epithelium
called also blood platelet, thrombocyte
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