HLA
noun
1
: the major histocompatibility complex in humans
2
: a genetic locus, gene, or antigen of HLA
—often used with one or more letters to designate a locus or with letters and a number to designate an allele at the locus or the antigen corresponding to the locus and allele
Examples of HLA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The team noted that further analyses were unable to identify any characteristic at the start of the trial that predicted treatment response, including age, specific immune system genes known as human leukocyte antigens (HLA), body mass index (BMI) or number of autoantibodies.
—
Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Its high-response linear actuator (HLA) focus motor snaps between near and far-off subjects in an instant, even with the a7R IV's autofocus system, which isn't as speedy as more recent Sony and L-mount cameras.
—PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Genetics: Some forms of pemphigus are associated with mutations of the HLA genes and other genes.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 10 Aug. 2025
More specifically, the researchers found a reduced diversity of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, which help support immune health.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Like the earlier studies, the Harvard study found a hotspot of activity at the MHC/HLA region of the genome (about 20 percent of the signals came from this area).
—Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
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Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Its high-response linear actuator (HLA) focus motor snaps between near and far-off subjects in an instant, even with the a7R IV's autofocus system, which isn't as speedy as more recent Sony and L-mount cameras.
—PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025
Genetics: Some forms of pemphigus are associated with mutations of the HLA genes and other genes.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 10 Aug. 2025
More specifically, the researchers found a reduced diversity of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, which help support immune health.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Like the earlier studies, the Harvard study found a hotspot of activity at the MHC/HLA region of the genome (about 20 percent of the signals came from this area).
—Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“HLA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HLA. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
HLA
noun
variants
also HL-A
1
: the major histocompatibility complex in humans
2
: a genetic locus, gene, or antigen of the major histocompatibility complex in humans
—often used attributively
HLA antigens
HLA typing
—often used with one or more letters to designate a locus or with letters and a number to designate an allele at the locus or the antigen corresponding to the locus and allele
relationship … between HLA-B27 antigen and ankylosing spondylitis—G. E. Ehrlich
G. E. EhrlichEtymology
human leukocyte antigen
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