osteoclast

noun os·te·o·clast \ˈäs-tē-ə-ˌklast\

Definition of OSTEOCLAST

: any of the large multinucleate cells closely associated with areas of bone resorption

— os·te·o·clas·tic \ˌäs-tē-ə-ˈklas-tik\ adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary oste- + Greek klastos broken — more at clast

First Known Use: 1872

Medical Dictionary

noun os·teo·clast \ˈäs-tē-ə-ˌklast\

: any of the large multinucleate cells closely associated with areas of bone resorption (as in a fracture that is healing)—compare chondroclast

: an instrument for performing osteoclasis

—os·teo·clas·tic \ˌäs-tē-ə-ˈklas-tik\ adjective

Next Word in the Dictionary: osteocollaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: osteoblastAll Words Near: osteoclast

What made you want to look up osteoclast? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears