response

noun

re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
1
: an act of responding
2
: something constituting a reply or a reaction: such as
a
: a verse, phrase, or word sung or said by the people or choir after or in reply to the officiant in a liturgical service
b
: the activity or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or any of its parts resulting from stimulation
c
: the output of a transducer or detecting device resulting from a given input
Choose the Right Synonym for response

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return.

answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Examples of response in a Sentence

He got a response to his letter. I am writing in response to your letter of July 17. When I told him my plan, I wasn't expecting such an enthusiastic response. Her response to their decision was to threaten to quit her job. When you knocked on the door, was there any response?
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The slow global response to COVID-19 caused over 7 million needless deaths and wiped out nearly a decade of global progress in improving life expectancy. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 Having tied the all-time record for RBIs in a single World Series with 12, the first baseman’s response to questions on the feat was simple. Sam Joseph, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024 These responses ran the gamut from highly positive to incredibly negative, but perhaps the most interesting were the ones that expressed a sentiment somewhere in between. Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024 At the same time, responses indicated that, a year from now, the landscape could be very different. Anne Field, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for response 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English & Latin; Middle English respounce, from Anglo-French respuns, respounce, from Latin responsum reply, from neuter of responsus, past participle of respondēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of response was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near response

Cite this Entry

“Response.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/response. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

response

noun
re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
1
: an act or instance of replying : answer
2
: words said or sung by the people or choir in a religious service
3
: a reaction of a living thing to a stimulus

Medical Definition

response

noun
re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s How to pronounce response (audio)
: the activity or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or any of its parts resulting from stimulation
a conditioned response

More from Merriam-Webster on response

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!