noun
leukemia
loo-KEE-mee-uh
noun
1
A type of cancer that affects blood cells, usually causing the body to produce abnormal white blood cells.
"She was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of six."
"Researchers are testing a new treatment for childhood leukemia."
How to Use Leukemia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCancer of the blood, especially the white blood cells.
UK vs US
Spelled "leukaemia" in British English and "leukemia" in American English.
Common pairings
diagnosed with leukemia
childhood leukemia
Word Forms
leukemias plural
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Etymology
From German Leukämie, built from Greek leukos, "white," and haima, "blood" — referring to the excess white blood cells seen in the disease.