graft-versus-host disease
noun
graft-ver·sus-host disease
ˈgraft-ˌvər-səs-ˈhōst- 
: 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
But despite all precautions, in the 1990s, about a quarter of all patients died from infections and other complications, including graft-versus-host disease, in which transplanted immune cells attack the body’s own tissue.
—
Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
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
Over the years, the youngster has suffered from symptoms of graft-versus-host disease: scarring issues with his eyes, lung and liver disease, among others, his mother said.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
The filing also cites several underlying medical problems that played a role in Escobedo’s decline, including sepsis, complications from graft-versus-host disease, a weakened immune system, chronic kidney impairment, and pneumonia, TMZ reported.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for graft-versus-host disease
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.
Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
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
Over the years, the youngster has suffered from symptoms of graft-versus-host disease: scarring issues with his eyes, lung and liver disease, among others, his mother said.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2026
The filing also cites several underlying medical problems that played a role in Escobedo’s decline, including sepsis, complications from graft-versus-host disease, a weakened immune system, chronic kidney impairment, and pneumonia, TMZ reported.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for graft-versus-host disease
Cite this Entry
“Graft-versus-host disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graft-versus-host%20disease. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
