allergen

[ al-er-juhn, -jen ]

noun

, Immunology.

1. any substance, often a protein, that induces an allergy: common allergens include pollen, grasses, dust, and some medications.

allergen

/ ˈæləˌdʒɛn /

noun

1. any substance capable of inducing an allergy

allergen

/ ăl′ər-jən /

1. A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergic reaction.

Derived Forms

• ˌallergeˈnicity, noun
• ˌallerˈgenic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of allergen¹

First recorded in 1910–15; aller(gy) + -gen

Example Sentences

Some 41 percent of allergy-free and wheeze-free children had grown up in such allergen and bacteria-rich homes.

From The Daily Beast

One, the study is the first of its kind to look at the effects of a bacteria/allergen exposure in combination with one another.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• antigen
• dander
• irritant
• pollen
• ragweed