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animal model

noun

: an animal sufficiently like humans in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen to be used in medical research in order to obtain results that can be extrapolated to human medicine
also : a pathological or physiological condition that occurs in such an animal and is similar to one occurring in humans

Examples of animal model in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Studies in animal models, as well as observational studies of people taking the drug to treat diabetes or weight gain, hinted that the drug may slow the advance of Alzheimer’s. Alice Park, Time, 24 Nov. 2025 Current research mostly depends on animal models or oversimplified cell cultures, which fail to accurately replicate the full cellular complexity of the human bone marrow and the endosteal niche. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025 Perhaps one day, technological advances will make animal models obsolete; lately, the White House has been promoting AI’s potential to replace some animal testing. Melanie D.g. Kaplan, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025 The researchers next plan to test this in a larger cohort of small animal models, then a larger animal model—and eventually, if possible, in human clinical trials. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animal model

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal model was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Animal model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20model. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

animal model

noun
: an animal sufficiently like humans in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen to be used in medical research in order to obtain results that can be extrapolated to human medicine
also : a pathological or physiological condition that occurs in such an animal and is similar (as in its pathology or physiology) to a human condition
experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is a useful animal model in the study of multiple sclerosis in humans
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