allergen

noun

al·​ler·​gen ˈa-lər-jən 

: a substance (such as pollen) that induces allergy

allergenic

ˌa-lər-ˈje-nik 

adjective

allergenicity

ˌa-lər-jə-ˈni-sə-tē 

noun

Examples of allergen in a Sentence

common allergens, such as pollen

Recent Examples on the Web

Undeclared allergens are one of the top reasons for food recalls in the U.S. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Mucus traps debris, allergens, viruses, and bacteria that go into your airways, Kanwar Kelley, MD, an otolaryngologist and CEO of Side Health in California, told Health. —Korin Miller, Health, 18 Dec. 2024

Undeclared allergens are the most common reason for food recalls announced by the FDA and the Food Safety and Inspection Service. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

A number of things can cause this inflammation, including viruses, allergens, pollution, and temperature changes, Levitin said. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Allergen,, blend of allerg- (in Allergie allergy) and -gen (in Antigen antigen)

Note: See note at allergy.

First Known Use

circa 1907, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

allergen

noun

al·​ler·​gen ˈal-ər-jən 

: a substance (as pollen) that causes allergy

allergenic

ˌal-ər-ˈjen-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

allergen

noun

al·​ler·​gen ˈal-ər-jən 

: a substance that induces allergy

inhaled allergens

a suspected food allergen