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

The connection between breast backwash and antibody production hasn’t been proven in humans yet, but there are some promising animal studies on the subject—fortunately mouse pups are also guilty of backwashing. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

Why Hidden Leukemia Cells Matter The newest antibody-drug conjugate was tested in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

For example, over the next decade, substantially all chemotherapy is likely to be made obsolete by antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which deliver therapy more selectively to tumors. — Roderick Wong, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Since the sugar is not normally found in blood, some people’s immune systems recognize it as foreign and mount a vigorous defense to eliminate it by producing antibodies to alpha gal. — Alice Park, Time, 23 July 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