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.
To bridge this gap, our team is using animal models to teach the algorithms to analyze heart sounds to find early signs of disease. Joshua Hutcheson, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025 Traditional animal models often miss key aspects of tumor biology and require millions of dollars and years to complete. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025 The protocol for giving new drugs is generally based on evidence seen in animal models and then in human trials, says Mattias Wieloch, a cardiologist and medical head of the type 1 diabetes program in North America at Sanofi, the company that manufactures teplizumab as Tzield. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025 Currently, researchers typically use 2D and animal models to study lung diseases like tuberculosis, but these are limited bynot accurately reflecting the shape and behavior of human lungs. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Animal model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20model. Accessed 22 Oct. 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
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!