response

[ ri-spons ]

noun

1. an answer or reply, as in words or in some action.

   Synonyms: rejoinder

2. Biology. any behavior of a living organism that results from an external or internal stimulus.
3. Ecclesiastical.
   1. a verse, sentence, phrase, or word said or sung by the choir or congregation in reply to the officiant. Compare versicle ( def 2 ).
   2. responsory.
4. Bridge. a bid based on an evaluation of one's hand relative to the previous bid of one's partner.

response

/ rɪˈspɒns /

noun

1. the act of responding; reply or reaction
2. bridge a bid replying to a partner's bid or double
3. usually plural Christianity a short sentence or phrase recited or sung by the choir or congregation in reply to the officiant at a church service
4. electronics the ratio of the output to the input level, at a particular frequency, of a transmission line or electrical device
5. any pattern of glandular, muscular, or electrical reactions that arises from stimulation of the nervous system

response

/ rĭ-spŏns′ /

1. A reaction, as that of an organism or any of its parts, to a specific stimulus.
2. See more at classical conditioning

Derived Forms

• reˈsponseless, adjective

Other Words From

• re·sponseless adjective
• counter·re·sponse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of response¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin respōnsum, noun use of neuter past participle of respondēre “to reply, answer”; replacing Middle English respounse, from Middle French respons, from Latin, as above; respond

Word History and Origins

Origin of response¹

C14: from Latin rēsponsum answer, from rēspondēre to respond

Synonym Study

See answer.

Example Sentences

In response to the PPC announcement, someone on Twitter asked if we’d even need websites anymore eventually.

From Search Engine Land

Grief is our natural emotional response to loss, so allow yourself to feel it — and any other emotions that may arise.

From Washington Post

The proper responses to unpleasant remarks by Elizabeth are silence and a change of subject.

From Washington Post

The response has been amazing to this single day virtual event.

From Search Engine Land

These included not just responses to sudden downturns for Covid-19-stricken people, but also natural disasters and helping in related situations when other problems arose.

From TechCrunch

I think the response of the French government so far has been pretty appropriate in that regard.

From The Daily Beast

Their immediate response tells an important truth about a police slowdown that has spread throughout New York City in recent days.

From The Daily Beast

What is known is that Peña Nieto bungled his response to the crisis.

From The Daily Beast

But the enduring response—stop the world, I want to get off—is the same.

From The Daily Beast

With enough changing of the influenza RNA over time, the vaccine no longer provokes the “right” immune response.

From The Daily Beast

To make the effort of articulation a vital impulse in response to a mental concept,—this is the object sought.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no response to the knock, and Davy cautiously pushed open the door and went in.

From Project Gutenberg

The knocker appeared to hear the response, and to assert that it was quite impossible he could wait so long.

From Project Gutenberg

Winifred, indeed, in response to a question, said faintly that she thought she could keep going if she had a drink of milk.

From Project Gutenberg

To this there was no response, the stranger thinking with bitterness that his trip was anything but one of pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• feedback
• reply
• return