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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While most vaccines use a weakened or inactivated virus to stimulate an immune response, mRNA vaccines teach the body how to make proteins that can trigger an immune response and fight off an infection. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 23 May 2025 Those mRNA vaccines prompt the patient to produce small amounts of virus to help create an immune response while the Adjuvanted has a protein spike to create the coupled with a Matrix-M adjuvant to prompt an immune response. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 The live zoster vaccine, no longer available in the US as of 2020, contains a living but weakened form of the virus used to generate an immune response. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 In addition to dampening this immune response, roflumilast inhibits sensory nerve cells, reducing itching. Paul McClure 07, New Atlas, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for immune response

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immune response was in 1923

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Cite this Entry

“Immune response.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immune%20response. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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