antibody
noun
an·ti·body
ˈan-ti-ˌbä-dē 
: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains
called also immunoglobulin
Examples of antibody in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That first antibody, called nirsevimab, proved to be 63% to 76% effective against emergency department visits for infants over the last year.
—
Danny Bakst, Fortune, 26 June 2025
The advisers postponed a vote Wednesday on a new antibody against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in infants.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
However, in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, T cells can either directly harm the body’s own tissues or act as helper cells that enable other immune cells to produce antibodies that attack the body.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2025
Karan and his team are trying to understand those spillover dynamics, in part by studying antibodies in people who live near past outbreaks along the Uganda-Kenya border.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antibody
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Danny Bakst, Fortune, 26 June 2025
The advisers postponed a vote Wednesday on a new antibody against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in infants.
—Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
However, in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, T cells can either directly harm the body’s own tissues or act as helper cells that enable other immune cells to produce antibodies that attack the body.
—New Atlas, 19 June 2025
Karan and his team are trying to understand those spillover dynamics, in part by studying antibodies in people who live near past outbreaks along the Uganda-Kenya border.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for antibody
Cite this Entry
“Antibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibody. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antibody
noun
an·ti·body
ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē
: a substance produced by special cells of the body that combines with an antigen and counteracts its effects or those of the microscopic plant or animal on which the antigen may occur
Medical Definition
antibody
noun
an·ti·body
ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē
plural antibodies
: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains
called also immunoglobulin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share