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Phago- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “eating,” “devouring.” It is used in some scientific terms, especially in biology.

Phago- ultimately comes from the Greek ��󲹲���î��, meaning “to eat, devour.” This Greek root also helps form the word esophagus. Discover the connection at our entry for the word.

Corresponding forms of phago- combined to the end of words are -phage, -phagous, -phagy, and -phagia. Learn more about their specific applications at our 51�Թ�s That Use articles for the forms.

One example of a term from biology that features the combining form phago- is phagocyte, meaning “any cell, as a macrophage, that ingests and destroys foreign particles, bacteria, and cell debris.”

The first part of the word, phago-, means “eating,” as we’ve seen. The second part of the word, -cyte, means “cell.” Phagocyte literally translates to “cell-eating.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form phago-?

• phagocytic
• phagocytose
• phagocytosis
• phagolysosome
• phagomania
• phagosome

What are some other forms that phago- may be commonly confused with?

• fungi-
• pharyngo-
• philo-
• photo-

Mania means “excessive excitement or enthusiasm.” With this in mind, what is phagomania?