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

And there are great over-the-counter eye drops that are antihistamines. —Eileen Finan, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025

Those medications include oral antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin, and nasal sprays like Flonase, Nasal Court and Azelastine. —Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Benadryl Liquid Elixir contains the ingredient diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that’s used in some allergy and sleep medicines. —Amber Brenza, Health, 21 Mar. 2025

Allergies: Allergy medication such as drops or oral antihistamines may be used. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2025

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