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

Most of the vaccines take about two weeks to mount an immune response. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026

Another feature of the system is that the M13 virus can act as its own vaccine adjuvant, a substance that strengthens the immune response. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026

The Tumaini clinical trial, as it's known, is evaluating the safety, efficacy and immunogenicity -- meaning the ability to generate an immune response -- of several vaccine candidates. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Cancer can exploit molecular signals that restrain immune responses, allowing malignant cells to escape attack even when identified. — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immune response

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

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