antigen
noun
Did you know?
An antibody is a protein produced by your immune system to fight outside invaders. Since the enemy substance actually triggers the production of antibodies, such substances are called antigens—anti- being short for antibody, and -gen meaning "producer". (In a similar way, an allergen produces an allergy, and a pathogen produces a pathology or disease.) Antigens are often rodlike structures that stick out from the surface of an invading organism—usually a bacterium or a virus—and allow it to attach itself to cells in the invaded body. But unfortunately for them, in doing so they let the immune system know they're present, and the body is flooded with an army of Pac-Man-like antibodies.
Examples of antigen in a Sentence
Julie Sullivan, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2024
These prices are many times higher than antigen testing options, though device manufacturers say COVID-19 tests are generally eligible for flexible spending account or health savings account dollars and could be reimbursable under some health insurance plans.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 26 Sep. 2024
The immune response could also be to antigens coming from other pathogens, like the common Epstein-Barr Virus.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 3 July 2024
At-home antigen tests, though slightly less definitive, are painless, easy to complete and provide answers almost instantly.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for antigen 
Dictionary Entries Near antigen
Cite this Entry
“Antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antigen. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antigen
noun
Medical Definition
antigen
noun
Share