immune response

noun

: a bodily response to an antigen that occurs when lymphocytes identify the antigenic molecule as foreign and induce the formation of antibodies and lymphocytes capable of reacting with it and rendering it harmless

called also immune reaction

Examples of immune response in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And some evidence suggests having more side effects may be associated with a stronger immune response. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026

When someone is diagnosed with tuberculosis, close contacts are monitored and blood samples taken, which allow researchers to see how the immune response looks early in disease and how that changes later on. —Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026

Allergy season brings airborne irritants, which include tree, grass, and ragweed pollen that trigger immune responses, which cause increased swelling. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Aluminum has been used in shots since the 1930s to boost immune response. —Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immune response

• bons
• hans
• launce
• nonce
• sconce
• esperance
• nonchalance
• nonresponse
• renaissance
• naissance

Kids Definition

immune response

noun

: a bodily response to a foreign substance, cell, or tissue that involves the formation of antibodies and cells capable of reacting with it and rendering it harmless

called also immune reaction

Medical Definition

immune response

noun

: a bodily response to an antigen that occurs when lymphocytes identify the antigenic molecule as foreign and induce the formation of antibodies and lymphocytes capable of reacting with it and rendering it harmless

called also immune reaction