enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

noun

: an in vitro method for quantifying an antigen or antibody concentration in which the test material is immobilized on a surface and exposed either to a complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an antigen specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material

called also ELISA

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was in 1976

Dictionary Entries Near enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

enzyme

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

enzymology

Cite this Entry

“Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enzyme-linked%20immunosorbent%20assay. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

noun
: a quantitative in vitro test for an antibody or antigen in which the test material is adsorbed on a surface and exposed either to a complex of an enzyme linked to an antibody specific for the antigen or an enzyme linked to an anti-immunoglobulin specific for the antibody followed by reaction of the enzyme with a substrate to yield a colored product corresponding to the concentration of the test material

called also ELISA

More from Merriam-Webster on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY