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
One study found that autoimmune patients treated with CAR T still made antibodies for diseases they’d been previously vaccinated against, like chicken pox and measles.
—
Amber Dance, ArsTechnica, 17 May 2026
Officials have said the test taken aboard the ship was likely a false positive, and that the physician does not have antibodies to hantavirus, indicating he was never exposed to or ill with it.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 15 May 2026
In one study, researchers found that people with higher sodium levels had more severe nasal congestion and higher antibody levels.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 May 2026
Reducing tau in the brain has been accomplished by other drugmakers with antibody treatments, but tying those reductions to a meaningful slowing of cognitive decline has been challenging.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for antibody
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Amber Dance, ArsTechnica, 17 May 2026
Officials have said the test taken aboard the ship was likely a false positive, and that the physician does not have antibodies to hantavirus, indicating he was never exposed to or ill with it.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 15 May 2026
In one study, researchers found that people with higher sodium levels had more severe nasal congestion and higher antibody levels.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 15 May 2026
Reducing tau in the brain has been accomplished by other drugmakers with antibody treatments, but tying those reductions to a meaningful slowing of cognitive decline has been challenging.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for antibody
Cite this Entry
“Antibody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibody. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
