noun
Uncommon
leukemia
loo-KEE-mee-uh
Leukemia (noun) means a type of cancer that affects blood cells, usually causing the body to produce abnormal white blood cells. Example: “She was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of six.”
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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like leukemia.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- leukemias
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was diagnosed with _____ at the age of six.
Etymology
From German Leukämie, built from Greek leukos, "white," and haima, "blood" — referring to the excess white blood cells seen in the disease.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for leukemia
See all rhymes for leukemia →Frequently asked questions
What does “leukemia” mean?
The word “leukemia” means a type of cancer that affects blood cells, usually causing the body to produce abnormal white blood cells. In plain terms, cancer of the blood, especially the white blood cells.
How do you pronounce “leukemia”?
“Leukemia” is pronounced loo-KEE-mee-uh (/luːˈkiːmi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “leukemia” in a sentence?
Here is “leukemia” used in a sentence: “She was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of six.”
What part of speech is “leukemia”?
“Leukemia” is a noun.
Where does the word “leukemia” come from?
The word “leukemia” comes from German. From German Leukämie, built from Greek leukos, "white," and haima, "blood" — referring to the excess white blood cells seen in the disease.
Is “leukemia” a common word?
“Leukemia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include leukemia:
