response

noun

re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s 

1

: an act of responding

2

: something constituting a reply or a reaction: such as

a

: a verse, phrase, or word sung or said by the people or choir after or in reply to the officiant in a liturgical service

b

: the activity or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or any of its parts resulting from stimulation

c

: the output of a transducer or detecting device resulting from a given input

Synonyms

• answer
• reaction
• reply
• take

Choose the Right Synonym for response

answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return.

answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Examples of response in a Sentence

He got a response to his letter.

I am writing in response to your letter of July 17.

When I told him my plan, I wasn't expecting such an enthusiastic response.

Her response to their decision was to threaten to quit her job.

When you knocked on the door, was there any response?

Recent Examples on the Web

There are no credible news reports about Walmart cutting food prices across the board in response to Trump taking office. —Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

As many Democrats in Congress have struggled to respond to the fire hose of disruption—at times seeming downright doddering in response to the White House’s potential upending of the constitutional order—the 53-year-old Schatz has helped his party find their footing. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025

The federal government would, in response, cut a $500,000 check to match. —Ryan Levi, NPR, 10 Feb. 2025

While some friends told me my concern about inflicting pain on an infant was ridiculous, Oster cites a 1997 study showing infants who experience pain during circumcision have stronger pain responses to their shots four to six months later. —Robin Abcarian Los Angeles Times, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English & Latin; Middle English respounce, from Anglo-French respuns, respounce, from Latin responsum reply, from neuter of responsus, past participle of respondēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing response

• autonomous sensory meridian response
• auto response
• call-and-response
• counter-response
• direct-response
• frequency response
• galvanic skin response
• give/make no response
• immune response

Kids Definition

response

noun

re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s 

1

: an act or instance of replying : answer

2

: words said or sung by the people or choir in a religious service

3

: a reaction of a living thing to a stimulus

Medical Definition

response

noun

re·​sponse ri-ˈspän(t)s 

: the activity or inhibition of previous activity of an organism or any of its parts resulting from stimulation

a conditioned response