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
Long before rats dominated psychology labs, raccoons were actually a leading candidate for animal models of problem-solving and intelligence.
—
Kelly Lambert, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
In practice, moving beyond animal models raises difficult questions about gene delivery, how light reaches deep or dispersed targets, and whether such interventions can remain safe and stable over years rather than minutes or hours.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
The authors also warned that over-the-counter NAD+-boosting supplements can raise cellular NAD+ to excessively high levels that, in some animal models, have been shown to promote cancer.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Researchers affiliated with the institute created the first animal model for Parkinson’s, identified a pesticide called Paraquat as a near chemical match to MPTP, and proved that farm workers who sprayed Paraquat developed Parkinson’s at exceedingly high rates.
—David Ferry, Wired News, 10 Dec. 2025
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Kelly Lambert, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
In practice, moving beyond animal models raises difficult questions about gene delivery, how light reaches deep or dispersed targets, and whether such interventions can remain safe and stable over years rather than minutes or hours.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
The authors also warned that over-the-counter NAD+-boosting supplements can raise cellular NAD+ to excessively high levels that, in some animal models, have been shown to promote cancer.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Researchers affiliated with the institute created the first animal model for Parkinson’s, identified a pesticide called Paraquat as a near chemical match to MPTP, and proved that farm workers who sprayed Paraquat developed Parkinson’s at exceedingly high rates.
—David Ferry, Wired News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for animal model
Cite this Entry
“Animal model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20model. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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