Definition of LEUKEMIA

leukemia

Plural: leukemias

Noun

  • malignant neoplasm of blood-forming tissues; characterized by abnormal proliferation of leukocytes; one of the four major types of cancer
  • Any of a class of types of cancer affecting the blood cells, especially the white blood cells (usually with massive leukocytosis), and the blood cell–forming (hematopoietic) tissues.
  • pl. -S a disease of the blood-forming organs

Examples

  • "The subjects suffered from lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias."

Origin / Etymology

From German Leukämie, from Ancient Greek λευκός (leukós, “white”) + αἷμα (haîma, “blood”). By surface analysis, leuk- + -emia.

Synonyms

cancer of the blood, leucaemia, leukaemia

Scrabble Score: 14

leukemia: valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
leukemia: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
leukemia: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

leukemia is a valid Words With Friends word