serotype

noun

se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp  ˈser- 

: a group of intimately related microorganisms distinguished by a common set of antigens

also : the set of antigens characteristic of such a group

Examples of serotype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That kind of resistance raises the stakes when rare serotypes spill into human populations. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

There are four variations, or serotypes, of the dengue virus. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Mar. 2025

And because the virus comes in four varieties, or serotypes, natural immunity after one illness does not protect against future infections with other types. —Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 30 June 2024

There are four strains of the virus, or serotypes, according to the World Health Organization. —Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

sero- + type entry 1

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for serotype

• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype
• genotype
• haplotype
• holotype
• hypotype
• isotype
• lectotype
• linotype

Medical Definition

serotype

1 of 2 noun

se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp  ˈser- 

1

: a group of intimately related microorganisms distinguished by a common set of antigens

2

: the set of antigens characteristic of a serotype

serotypic

ˌsir-ə-ˈtip-ik 

adjective

serotypically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

serotype

2 of 2 transitive verb

serotyped; serotyping

: to determine the serotype of

serotype streptococci

serotyped isolates from 100 patients