Any protozoan cell produced by the fission of a schizont, e.g. that of the malaria protozoan: The cell of the merozoite develops in a stage in the life cycle of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium) which is formed during the asexual division of the schizont (a cell formed during the asexual phase of the life cycle of some single-celled organisms).

Merozoites are released and invade other cells.