antibody

noun

an·​ti·​body ˈan-ti-ˌbä-dē How to pronounce antibody (audio)
: 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 Our study introduces two ways to screen for certain characteristics of antibodies that signal early infection. Trirupa Chakraborty, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 Serologic testing, which looks at antibodies in the blood, confirmed the workers were not positive for bird flu. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024 This is an injection of antibodies against RSV that babies under one year of age (as opposed to adults under one year of age) can receive prior to their first RSV season. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 The study also found that in the face of H1N1 infection, women had higher levels of antibodies in their systems than men. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for antibody 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antibody.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antibody was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near antibody

Cite this Entry

“Antibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibody. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

antibody

noun
an·​ti·​body ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē How to pronounce antibody (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce antibody (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on antibody

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