flagellin

noun

fla·​gel·​lin flə-ˈje-lən 

: a polymeric protein that is the chief constituent of bacterial flagella and that determines the specificity of the flagellum in eliciting an immune response

Examples of flagellin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the mice received flagellin, their nibbling slowed, further proving that microbial messages shape appetite. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

flagellum + -in entry 1

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for flagellin

• muskmelon
• endothelin
• gibberellin
• watermelon
• felon
• melon
• snellen
• tellin

Medical Definition

flagellin

noun

fla·​gel·​lin flə-ˈjel-ən 

: a polymeric protein that is the chief constituent of bacterial flagella, that forms helical chains around the hollow core of the flagellar filament, that determines the specificity of the flagellum in eliciting an immune response by its amino acid sequence, and that within any one serogroup can vary between two antigenic states by switching between the expression of two different genes