Wiktionary
n. 1 any cell having a specific receptor for an antibody, antigen or hormone 2 an abnormal red blood cell with a ringed appearance, associated with some anemias
WordNet
n. any cell that has a specific receptor for antigen or antibody or hormone
an abnormal red blood cell with a ringed appearance; associated with anemia
Usage examples of "target cell".
Once there, a new cell wrapped completely around the target cell, took up the cell's proper function, and ate it, digesting its proteins and nucleic acids into individual amino acids and nucleotides.
It was the name of a protein used by the HIV virus to infect healthy cells, a helix of protein coiled in the manner of a spring, that fired itself like a harpoon through the wall of a target cell, then reeled itself in to get close contact and finish the job.