1. Red blood cells; disc-shaped cells in the blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues.
Usage: Medical/scientific term; Plural form; singular is erythrocyte; Also called red blood cells or RBCs

Examples

• Erythrocytes contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen.
• A healthy adult typically has millions of erythrocytes circulating in the bloodstream.
• The doctor ordered a blood test to count the patient's erythrocytes.
• Erythrocytes are produced in the bone marrow and live for about 120 days.
• Low levels of erythrocytes can cause anemia and fatigue.
• Under a microscope, erythrocytes appear as small, round, flat discs.