immunosuppression

noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sion ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-shən 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: suppression (as by drugs or disease) of the immune response

Extreme caution must be exercised, however, in recipients of renal transplants because of immunosuppression and the susceptibility to infection.

—Rosalyn Kutcher et al.

Examples of immunosuppression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The surgery involves removing both affected lungs and replacing them with healthy donor organs, a process that also comes with its own risks and requires lifelong immunosuppression to prevent rejection of the new tissue. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 11 July 2025

Genetic factors, immunosuppression (especially for those who have had organ transplants), and chronic inflammation can all raise a person’s risk. —Stacey Colino, Time, 9 July 2025

Last month, ProPublica reported that a generic immunosuppression drug for transplant patients could dissolve too quickly when ingested, increasing the risk of kidney failure. —Victoria Malis, ProPublica, 7 July 2025

Historically, the rejection of transplanted cells has posed a significant challenge in transplant medicine, necessitating lifelong immunosuppression for recipients. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + suppression

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immunosuppression

• myelosuppression
• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession

Kids Definition

immunosuppression

noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sion

ˌim-yə-nō-sə-ˈpresh-ən,

im-ˌyü-nō-

: suppression (as by drugs) of natural immune responses

immunosuppress

-sə-ˈpres

verb

immunosuppressant

-sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt

noun or adjective

immunosuppressive

-sə-ˈpres-iv

adjective

Medical Definition

immunosuppression

noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sion -sə-ˈpresh-ən 

: suppression (as by drugs or disease) of the immune response

Recurrent infection may develop in some patients despite minimization of their immunosuppression.

—Jay A. Fishman, The New England Journal of Medicine