Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

antibody

noun

/ˈæntɪˌbɒdi/

Definition

A type of protein produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.

Examples

Once the body detects a virus, it produces antibodies to fight it off.
Vaccines work by stimulating the production of antibodies without causing the disease.
Doctors can measure antibody levels to determine if a patient has been exposed to a particular pathogen.

Meaning

Antibodies are critical components of the immune defense, helping to protect the body against infections and diseases by binding to specific antigens, which can be parts of pathogens or toxins.