antibody
noun
an·ti·body
ˈan-ti-ˌbä-dē 
: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains
called also immunoglobulin
Examples of antibody in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The specific IgE blood test checks for a kind of antibody called IgE, which is a key component of allergic reactions.
—
Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 17 Apr. 2025
The antibodies responsible for allergies also take care of cleaning up any parasites that your body encounters.
—Breanne Hayes Haney, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
The report also found that there were no significant outbreaks of COVID-19-like symptoms at Defense Department facilities after the athletes returned, although service members were not tested for COVID-19 or antibodies as testing was not available at that early stage of the pandemic.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The scientists assessed nearly 835,000 blood antibody tests taken from dogs nationwide between 2012 and 2022 — and found that 40 percent tested positive for the disease.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antibody
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Ruth Jessen Hickman, Md, Health, 17 Apr. 2025
The antibodies responsible for allergies also take care of cleaning up any parasites that your body encounters.
—Breanne Hayes Haney, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
The report also found that there were no significant outbreaks of COVID-19-like symptoms at Defense Department facilities after the athletes returned, although service members were not tested for COVID-19 or antibodies as testing was not available at that early stage of the pandemic.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The scientists assessed nearly 835,000 blood antibody tests taken from dogs nationwide between 2012 and 2022 — and found that 40 percent tested positive for the disease.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antibody
Cite this Entry
“Antibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibody. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antibody
noun
an·ti·body
ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē
: a substance produced by special cells of the body that combines with an antigen and counteracts its effects or those of the microscopic plant or animal on which the antigen may occur
Medical Definition
antibody
noun
an·ti·body
ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē
plural antibodies
: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains
called also immunoglobulin
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