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
Wen: The diagnosis requires a blood test, which looks for the presence of a particular antibody (hepatitis A virus IGM antibody) that identifies acute infection with the hepatitis A virus.
—
Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Antivenoms that are effective across a range of snakes do exist, but this is the first one to use a synthetic antibody, according to NPR.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Maternal antibodies generated from the vaccination pass to the fetus in the uterus and can protect a newborn in the first few months of life.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2025
Some patient advocates now believe an environmental exposure is triggering the illnesses, claiming patients’ blood and urine tests show the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and rare antibodies that warrant further study.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antibody
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Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Antivenoms that are effective across a range of snakes do exist, but this is the first one to use a synthetic antibody, according to NPR.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025
Maternal antibodies generated from the vaccination pass to the fetus in the uterus and can protect a newborn in the first few months of life.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2025
Some patient advocates now believe an environmental exposure is triggering the illnesses, claiming patients’ blood and urine tests show the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and rare antibodies that warrant further study.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 7 May 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 29 May. 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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