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

Children and adolescents aged 2 to 18, without other high-risk factors like immunosuppression, can receive and should be offered the vaccine if they were not previously immunized, according to the guidance. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

This immunosuppression may last from months to three years. —Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Strenuous training combined with immunosuppression can raise infection and cardiovascular problems. —Eryn Mathewson, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025

That May Stave Off Disease Alzheimer's: Scientists Discover What Sparks Disease Arthritis Treatment Reduces Painful Flare-Ups, Slows Disease Illustration representing inhibition of protein complex 'mTORC1' by rapamycin leading to immunosuppression for a tumor. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 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