immunoglobulin

noun

im·​mu·​no·​glob·​u·​lin ˌi-myə-nō-ˈglä-byə-lən 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: antibody

The glycoproteins produced by B-cells, called antibodies or immunoglobulins, recognize and bind free antigens and are responsible for humoral immunity …

—Haruo Saito et al.

—abbreviation Ig

Examples of immunoglobulin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, a 2010 CDC study found exposure to vaccines and immunoglobulins that contain thimerosal, in prenatal or infant stages, does not increase risk for autism spectrum disorder. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 June 2025

People who have a weakened immune system can get immunoglobulins, typically at a hospital or clinic, if they’re exposed to measles. —Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 5 June 2025

Health care workers are giving shots of immunoglobulin to babies as young as three days old at this mobile medical unit in an effort to protect them from a measles exposure. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025

Overcoming the limitations of IVIG One of the main causes of autoimmune diseases are immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + globulin

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing immunoglobulin

• intravenous immunoglobulin

Rhymes for immunoglobulin

• antiglobulin
• lactoglobulin
• macroglobulin
• thyroglobulin
• globulin

Medical Definition

immunoglobulin

noun

im·​mu·​no·​glob·​u·​lin -ˈgläb-yə-lən 

: antibody

—abbreviation Ig