graft-versus-host disease

noun

graft-ver·​sus-host disease ˈgraft-ˌvər-səs-ˈhōst- How to pronounce graft-versus-host disease (audio)
: a potentially fatal bodily condition that results when T cells from a tissue or organ transplant and especially a bone marrow transplant react immunologically against the recipient's antigens attacking cells and tissues

Examples of graft-versus-host disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Amelia did end up with a bout of graft-versus-host disease; cyclophosphamide lowers the risk but not to zero. — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024 The biggest concern is that immune cells from his sister’s transplanted tissue are recognized as foreign and are attacked, which is known as graft-versus-host disease. — Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Feb. 2026 Kitchin was dealing with a complication known as graft-versus-host disease, where the donor cells begin attacking the recipient’s organs and tissues. — Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 15 July 2024 In most cases, the donor is not a sibling, which introduces the risk that the donor’s immune cells will attack the recipient’s body, a phenomenon called graft-versus-host disease. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for graft-versus-host disease

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of graft-versus-host disease was in 1965

Rhymes for graft-versus-host disease

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Browse Nearby Words

graftonite
graft-versus-host disease
grager
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Cite this Entry

“Graft-versus-host disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graft-versus-host%20disease. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

graft-versus-host disease

noun
: a bodily condition that results when T cells from a usually allogeneic tissue or organ transplant and especially a bone marrow transplant react immunologically against the recipient's antigens attacking cells and tissues, that affects especially the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and liver with symptoms including skin rash, fever, diarrhea, liver dysfunction, abdominal pain, and anorexia, and that may be fatal
—abbreviation GVHD

called also graft-versus-host reaction

More from Merriam-Webster on graft-versus-host disease

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about graft-versus-host disease

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