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

New research underway More trials are now starting to look at how GLP-1s might influence things like chronic inflammation or immunosuppression, both of which might contribute to cancer growth. —Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 9 June 2026

With each new iteration of transgenic pig, testing was required to assess the potential for graft survival and best use of immunosuppression. —Joshua Mezrich, STAT, 9 June 2026

Unlike broad immunosuppression, this approach would target a specific arm of innate immune activation while preserving much of classical and alternative complement pathway function. —Steve Brozak, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Healthy cells that divide frequently—such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles—can also be affected, leading to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, immunosuppression, and hair loss. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

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