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
In one video, Todryk shared that a bloodwood test done in October 2025 revealed that her number of antibodies was at 5,000.
—
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
This prompts the immune system to develop antibodies against the six most prevalent subtypes of the bacterium in North America and Europe.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
These antibodies will target some part of that virus.
—Benjamin P. Brown, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The pathogen was new to my system, and sections of my DNA moved around and recombined—an immunological cut-and-paste—to form a new code, one that could produce antibodies capable of fighting mycoplasma.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antibody
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Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026
This prompts the immune system to develop antibodies against the six most prevalent subtypes of the bacterium in North America and Europe.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026
These antibodies will target some part of that virus.
—Benjamin P. Brown, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
The pathogen was new to my system, and sections of my DNA moved around and recombined—an immunological cut-and-paste—to form a new code, one that could produce antibodies capable of fighting mycoplasma.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antibody
Cite this Entry
“Antibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibody. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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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