ENGLISH
REFERENCE

antibody

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈæntiˌbɑdi// UK //ˈæntɪbˌɒdi// an·ti·body

n. a protein your body makes to fight off germs like viruses and bacteria. It locks onto the invader so your immune system can destroy it.

n. a specialized Y-shaped protein produced by the immune system to neutralize or mark pathogens for destruction.


SIMPLE

Your body creates antibodies to fight the flu.

CONTEXTUAL

The vaccine helps your immune system produce antibodies before you meet the virus.

COMPLEX

Researchers are studying how long the antibodies generated by the new treatment remain active in the bloodstream.

Origin

From anti- + body, a calque of German Antikörper.

© 2026 English Reference