immunodeficiency

noun

im·​mu·​no·​de·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌi-myə-nō-di-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: inability to produce a normal complement of antibodies or immunologically sensitized T cells especially in response to specific antigens

immunodeficient

ˌi-myə-nō-di-ˈfi-shənt 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

adjective

Examples of immunodeficiency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many monkeys died, while others developed chronic immunodeficiency. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Another is the contagion risk posed by having an unvaccinated child in a waiting room alongside infants and kids with immunodeficiencies. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

In the early 2000s, a retroviral vector was used to treat boys with a severe immunodeficiency, sometimes called bubble-boy disease. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Plasma plays a key role in trauma care and in creating medications for people with immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and neurological diseases like primary immunodeficiency, hemophilia and Guillain-Barré syndrome. — Dave Oates, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + deficiency

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing immunodeficiency

• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• human immunodeficiency virus
• severe combined immunodeficiency
• simian immunodeficiency virus

Rhymes for immunodeficiency

• deficiency
• efficiency
• proficiency
• sufficiency
• inefficiency
• insufficiency

Kids Definition

immunodeficiency

noun

im·​mu·​no·​de·​fi·​cien·​cy -də-ˈfish-ən-sē 

: inability to produce the normal number of antibodies or T cells capable of acting in an immune system

Medical Definition

immunodeficiency

noun

im·​mu·​no·​de·​fi·​cien·​cy -di-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural immunodeficiencies

: inability to produce a normal complement of antibodies or immunologically sensitized T cells especially in response to specific antigens see aids

immunodeficient

-ənt 

adjective