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
Some early studies suggest that taking these anti-inflammatory drugs before or immediately after a shot might dampen your immune system’s response, since inflammation helps your body create antibodies.
—
Ashley Wong, Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Real-world data on effectiveness for the new COVID vaccine are still limited, but researchers can make some predictions based on neutralizing antibody levels, known as titers, which indicate the strength of the immune system’s protective response to the virus the vaccines are based on.
—Sara Novak, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Through single-cell RNA sequencing, the team indeed saw that glioblastoma upended the skull bone marrow's environment – filling it with pro-inflammatory neutrophils while decimating cancer-fighting antibody-producing B cells.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
Frye, the Phoenix neurologist, estimates up to three-quarters of autistic children have antibodies linked to cerebral folate deficiency, based on his research.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2025
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Ashley Wong, Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Real-world data on effectiveness for the new COVID vaccine are still limited, but researchers can make some predictions based on neutralizing antibody levels, known as titers, which indicate the strength of the immune system’s protective response to the virus the vaccines are based on.
—Sara Novak, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
Through single-cell RNA sequencing, the team indeed saw that glioblastoma upended the skull bone marrow's environment – filling it with pro-inflammatory neutrophils while decimating cancer-fighting antibody-producing B cells.
—New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
Frye, the Phoenix neurologist, estimates up to three-quarters of autistic children have antibodies linked to cerebral folate deficiency, based on his research.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 28 Sep. 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 21 Oct. 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
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