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
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Babies of mothers that did not receive the RSV vaccine can also benefit from an antibody known as Nirsevimab, which offers direct protection for about five months against RSV through pre-formed antibodies injected into the body.
—
Omer Awan, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
As Smithsonian reported, antivenom can be complicated to produce, as a donor animal must be injected with the venom — and then their antibodies harvested to make the treatment.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Hepatitis tests: Blood tests can detect evidence of viral hepatitis by identifying the virus or the immune proteins (antibodies) that fight a specific virus.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024
People who received the vaccine also produced antibodies that indicated multitiered mucosal immunity, not simply the adaptive immunity from a shot in the arm.
—Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
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Omer Awan, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
As Smithsonian reported, antivenom can be complicated to produce, as a donor animal must be injected with the venom — and then their antibodies harvested to make the treatment.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Hepatitis tests: Blood tests can detect evidence of viral hepatitis by identifying the virus or the immune proteins (antibodies) that fight a specific virus.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024
People who received the vaccine also produced antibodies that indicated multitiered mucosal immunity, not simply the adaptive immunity from a shot in the arm.
—Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for antibody
Dictionary Entries Near antibody
Cite this Entry
“Antibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibody. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
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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