human leukocyte antigen

noun

: any of various proteins that are encoded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and are found on the surface of many cell types (such as white blood cells)
broadly : hla sense 2

Examples of human leukocyte antigen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then Her Husband Does Something That Makes Her Cry (Exclusive) Like with any stem cell transplant, the donor and recipient must be a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 In those cases, doctors try to match patients with donors by typing a marker in their blood called human leukocyte antigen, or HLA. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of human leukocyte antigen was in 1978

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Cite this Entry

“Human leukocyte antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20leukocyte%20antigen. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

human leukocyte antigen

noun
: any of various proteins that are encoded by genes of the major histocompatibility complex in humans and are found on the surface of many cell types (as white blood cells)
broadly : hla sense 2
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