immune response

noun

: a bodily response to an antigen that occurs when lymphocytes identify the antigenic molecule as foreign and induce the formation of antibodies and lymphocytes capable of reacting with it and rendering it harmless

called also immune reaction

Examples of immune response in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The researchers found that even the 217th shot boosted the man’s immune response. Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 These three spices are anti-inflammatory, and can boost the immune response. Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024 Our genetic background impacts our immune response. Jen Christensen, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024 Sure enough, the long-term effect of smoking on the immune response also appears to be linked to epigenetics. Celia Ford, WIRED, 14 Feb. 2024 Someone can be intolerant to the lactose in milk, but will not have an immune response. Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024 These vaccines use a fragment of the virus's genetic material (RNA) to teach your cells to make a protein that triggers an immune response. Ayana Byrd, Health, 7 Jan. 2024 And injecting the animals with the smart insulin didn’t result in a significant immune response, which can be a common pitfall when introducing biomaterials to animals or humans. Ivan Paul, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2023 Other factors like age, health conditions, and individual immune responses may also contribute to the gradual decrease in vaccine effectiveness, Yancey said. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immune response.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immune response was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near immune response

Cite this Entry

“Immune response.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immune%20response. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

immune response

noun
: a bodily response to a foreign substance, cell, or tissue that involves the formation of antibodies and cells capable of reacting with it and rendering it harmless

called also immune reaction

Medical Definition

immune response

noun
: a bodily response to an antigen that occurs when lymphocytes identify the antigenic molecule as foreign and induce the formation of antibodies and lymphocytes capable of reacting with it and rendering it harmless

called also immune reaction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!