avidity

noun

avid·​i·​ty ə-ˈvi-də-tē How to pronounce avidity (audio)
a-
plural avidities
1
: the quality or state of being avid:
a
: keen eagerness
b
: consuming greed
2

Example Sentences

an advanced case of avidity that led to shoplifting at the tender age of 13 in her avidity to express her opinions, she frequently and unthinkingly interrupts people
Recent Examples on the Web Read the rest here, and please celebrate the holidays with avidity—whatever that might mean to you. Lila Maclellan, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2022 The trouble was that Giuliani was cashing in on a reputation for honesty and probity with unseemly avidity. Louis Menand, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2022 Honoring the contributions of the enslaved in a city that abounds with layers of historical mysteries can require avidity of purpose and judicious interpretation. Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, 18 Mar. 2022 Mutations may also increase the avidity of the spike protein for the receptor or stabilize the spike, increasing infectivity. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2021 Mutations may also increase the avidity of the spike protein for the receptor or stabilize the spike, increasing infectivity. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2021 Mutations may also increase the avidity of the spike protein for the receptor or stabilize the spike, increasing infectivity. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2021 Mutations may also increase the avidity of the spike protein for the receptor or stabilize the spike, increasing infectivity. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2021 Mutations may also increase the avidity of the spike protein for the receptor or stabilize the spike, increasing infectivity. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 22 Sep. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avidity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of avidity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near avidity

Cite this Entry

“Avidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avidity. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

avidity

noun
: a characteristic of antibodies (such as antitoxins) that tends to enhance their rate or stability in binding with an antigen
Antibody avidity is an average measure of the affinity of the antibodies for a particular antigen in a serum sample.Dominic F. Kelly, The New England Journal of Medicine

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