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

This is an immune response—your body sees the piercing as a foreign object and tries to expel it so the skin can heal. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 24 Oct. 2025

These modified beads were far better at avoiding immune responses compared to untreated nanoplastics. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has emphasized that aluminum in vaccines strengthens the immune response and does not cause autism or other serious health problems. —Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2025

How Inflammation Affects the Body Inflammation is the body’s immune response to an illness or injury. —Julia Ries Wexler, Outside, 16 Oct. 2025

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