immunosuppression

noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sion ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-shən How to pronounce immunosuppression (audio)
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
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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 See All Example Sentences for immunosuppression

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + suppression

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunosuppression was in 1963

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immunosuppression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunosuppression. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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 How to pronounce immunosuppression (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on immunosuppression

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