mono·clo·nal
ˌmä-nə-ˈklō-nᵊl 
: produced by, being, composed of, or caused by cells derived from a single cell
… Dr. [Lawrence] Kaplan said tumors that were monoclonal, arising from a single malignant cell, indicated poor survival.—
Marilyn Chase
Marilyn Chase
especially
: relating to, being, or caused by a monoclonal antibody or monoclonal antibodies
monoclonal assays
see also monoclonal gammopathy
plural monoclonals
: monoclonal antibody
But now researchers say that new ways of modifying antibodies promise to deliver monoclonals in more effective forms, with fewer side effects and at lower cost.—Lawrence M. Fisher
Lawrence M. FisherExamples of monoclonal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
Evusheld is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies: tixagevimab and cilgavimab.
—Carla Delgado, Verywell Health, 8 Feb. 2023
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells make abnormal proteins called monoclonal light chains.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monoclonal
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Adjective
As with many monoclonal antibodies, CAB-I47 makes contact with the receptor-binding domain to block binding to the human ACE2 receptor.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
Evusheld is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies: tixagevimab and cilgavimab.
—Carla Delgado, Verywell Health, 8 Feb. 2023
Noun
Even so, Langbaum thinks people with the APOE4/4 genes can be treated safely with the current monoclonal antibodies.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells make abnormal proteins called monoclonal light chains.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monoclonal
Cite this Entry
“Monoclonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monoclonal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
monoclonal
1 of 2 adjective
mono·clo·nal
ˌmän-ə-ˈklōn-ᵊl
: produced by, being, or composed of cells derived from a single cell
a monoclonal tumor
especially
: relating to or being an antibody derived from a single cell in large quantities for use against a specific antigen (as a cancer cell)
monoclonal
2 of 2 noun
: a monoclonal antibody
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