antibody

noun

an·​ti·​body ˈan-ti-ˌbä-dē 

: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains

called also immunoglobulin

Examples of antibody in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The antibodies created from the reaction learned to identify and attack alpha-gal sugar molecules, making meat from mammals toxic to his system. — Dylan Lovan, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

But scientists weren’t sure if temporary replacement pig organs would cause someone to produce antibodies that could complicate a human-to-human transplant. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 4 Sep. 2026

Infants who are not protected through maternal vaccination are recommended by the CDC to receive a long-acting RSV antibody, nirsevimab or clesrovimab. — Ava Tsapatsaris, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

Agent Smith, The Matrix There’s something simultaneously corporate and federal about the Matrix’s digital antibody — as if the Wolf of Wall Street joined the Secret Service. — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

anti- + body entry 1, after German Antikörper

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing antibody

• monoclonal antibody

Rhymes for antibody

• afterbody
• busybody
• everybody
• autoantibody
• bawdy
• body
• gaudy
• khadi
• mahdi
• noddy
• oddi
• shoddy

Kids Definition

antibody

noun

an·​ti·​body ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē 

: a substance produced by special cells of the body that combines with an antigen and counteracts its effects or those of the microscopic plant or animal on which the antigen may occur

Medical Definition

antibody

noun

an·​ti·​body ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē 

plural antibodies

: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains

called also immunoglobulin