interferon

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​on ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ˌän 

ˌin-tə-

: any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoprotein cytokines of low molecular weight that are produced by cells exposed usually to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (such as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals

Examples of interferon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The interferons then trigger a cascade of other chemicals to be produced including cytokines. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Following these surgeries, Wightman faced years of treatment — including interferon therapy, radiation in Florida and ongoing monitoring — all while navigating life as a teenager adjusting to the challenges of having lost her eye. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

The team developed a way to ignite an immune reaction against tumors by stimulating a pathway within cells called stimulator of interferon genes (STING). —Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

Our team is studying whether directly injecting interferon lambda before chemotherapy with nanoparticles could help limit the amount of drug that ends up in healthy tissues while increasing their concentration in tumors. —Tom Anchordoquy, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

interfere + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing interferon

• alpha interferon
• beta interferon
• gamma interferon
• interferon alpha
• interferon beta
• interferon gamma

Kids Definition

interferon

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​on ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän 

: any of a group of proteins produced by cells that keep viruses attacking the cells from multiplying

Medical Definition

interferon

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​on ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r-ˌän 

: any of a group of heat-stable soluble basic antiviral glycoproteins of low molecular weight that are produced usually by cells exposed to the action of a virus, sometimes to the action of another intracellular parasite (as a bacterium), or experimentally to the action of some chemicals, and that include some used medically as antiviral or antineoplastic agents see alpha interferon, beta interferon, gamma interferon