light chain

noun

: either of the two smaller of the four polypeptide chains comprising antibodies compare heavy chain

Examples of light chain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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This is typically done through serum and urine tests to detect abnormal free light chains and monoclonal proteins. Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2025 As those scans didn't reveal anything out of the ordinary, doctors ordered a blood test for neurofilament light chain levels, which are often elevated in cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 This should eliminate the cells that were spewing out the problem light chain protein. Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2023 Two of the key markers — kappa/lambda light chain and of monoclonal protein in the bone marrow — are down from wildly high to within sight of normal. Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2021 Neurofilament light chain, for example, is a structural protein that maintains neurons' axons, which transmit signals to other neurons. ABC News, 7 Nov. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of light chain was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

“Light chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20chain. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

light chain

noun
: either of the two smaller of the four polypeptide chains that are subunits of antibodies

called also L chain

compare heavy chain

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