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

Since sleep benefits your immune system, not having enough sleep doesn’t give your body a chance to produce adequate immune cells, antibodies, and other immune proteins. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 5 Dec. 2024

The building is infamously stubborn, with decades-old antibodies on hair-trigger alert for anything too radical. —Colin Demarest, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

As of March, 41% of eligible infants had received the RSV antibody treatment. —Sabrina Malhi The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024

The peptides activate receptors of a gut hormone called GLP-1, while the antibody blocks receptors of another hormone called GIP hormone. —Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing antibody

• monoclonal antibody

Kids 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