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

This gives the antibody a way to distinguish mutant KRAS from normal KRAS. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Skimp on sleep and your body makes fewer of them, along with fewer infection-fighting antibodies. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2026

Moderna's mFlusiva vaccine would operate similarly to its COVID-19 vaccine by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that can fight off viruses. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026

These antibodies later neutralized about 16% of tetrodotoxin in laboratory tests. — Jay Kakade august 05, Refractor, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing antibody

• monoclonal antibody

Rhymes for antibody

• afterbody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi
• mahdi
• noddy
• oddi
• shoddy

Kids 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