autoimmune

adjective

au·​to·​im·​mune ˌȯ-tō-im-ˈyün 

: of, relating to, or caused by autoantibodies or T cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them

autoimmune diseases

autoimmunity

ˌȯ-tō-im-ˈyü-nə-tē 

noun

autoimmunization

ˌȯ-tō-ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

 also  -im-ˌyü-

noun

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Any healthy body produces a variety of antibodies, proteins in the blood whose job is to protect the body from unwanted bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. The cells and organs that deal with such infections make up the immune system. In some people and animals, for various reasons, the antibodies become overactive and turn on the body's healthy tissues as well; the result is an autoimmune disease—an immune response directed against one's own self. More than eighty autoimmune diseases have been identified, the best-known being type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Examples of autoimmune in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past, she’s been open on her show about her health issues, including substance use disorder and autoimmune conditions Grave’s disease and lymphedema. —Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 26 May 2025

But for brides living with chronic illnesses like migraines or autoimmune disorders, that pressure multiplies. —Melanie Curry, People.com, 23 May 2025

These same variants increased the risk of autoimmune disorders such as ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease that can cause the vertebrae to fuse, and type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make the hormone insulin. —Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

What Is Stiff Person Syndrome? Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune and neurological disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord. —Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

auto- + immune, after autoimmunity, borrowed from French auto-immunité

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

autoimmune

adjective

au·​to·​im·​mune ˌȯt-ō-im-ˈyün 

: relating to or caused by an abnormal condition in which an organism's immune system attacks and destroys parts of its own cells or tissues

multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease

Medical Definition

autoimmune

adjective

au·​to·​im·​mune -im-ˈyün 

: of, relating to, or caused by antibodies or T cells that attack molecules, cells, or tissues of the organism producing them

autoimmune diseases