antihistamine

noun

an·​ti·​his·​ta·​mine ˌan-tē-ˈhi-stə-ˌmēn 

-mən,

ˌan-tī-

: any of various compounds that counteract histamine in the body and that are used for treating allergic reactions (such as hay fever) and cold symptoms

antihistamine adjective

antihistaminic

ˌan-tē-ˌhi-stə-ˈmi-nik 

ˌan-tī-

adjective or noun

Examples of antihistamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This included discovering antidepressants, the metabolites of antidepressants, and antihistamines in not just the brain of fish, but also their livers, muscles, and gonads. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

In addition to the drugs, blood tests revealed that the comedian had taken the antidepressant Prozac and an antihistamine — but neither of those had contributed to his death, according to the Los Angeles Times. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

An allergist put her on a round of steroids and an antihistamine, but the relief was short-lived. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 Dec. 2024

Some do require a prescription, while others can be an antihistamine, like Benadryl, which can help with motion sickness. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

antihistamine

noun

an·​ti·​his·​ta·​mine ˌant-i-ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn 

-mən,

ˌan-ˌtī-

: any of various drugs used for treating allergic reactions and cold symptoms

Medical Definition

antihistamine

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​his·​ta·​mine ˌant-i-ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn, ˌan-ˌtī-, -mən 

: tending to block or counteract the physiological action of histamine

human blood lacks antihistamine activity

antihistamine

2 of 2 noun

: any of various compounds that oppose the actions of histamine and are used especially for treating allergic reactions (as hay fever), cold symptoms, and motion sickness