immune system

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a diffuse, complex network of interacting cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris: the system includes the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and lymph tissue, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies, and lymphokines.

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immune system Scientific  

1. The body system in humans and other animals that protects the organism by distinguishing foreign tissue and neutralizing potentially pathogenic organisms or substances. The immune system includes organs such as the skin and mucous membranes, which provide an external barrier to infection, cells involved in the immune response, such as lymphocytes, and cell products such as lymphokines.

2. See also autoimmune disease immune response

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immune system Cultural  

1. The system in the body that works to ward off infection and disease. Central to this system are the white blood cells. Some white blood cells produce antibodies in response to specific antigens that may invade the body; others function as scavengers to fight infection by destroying bacteria and removing dead cells.

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Etymology

Origin of immune system

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Immune system T-cells recognize cell surface carbohydrates of bacterial and red blood cells.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Immune system: Scientists have also reported changes in the immune system of people with long Covid.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2022

Immune system T cells, which destroy infected cells, also appear still to be able to recognize the variant.

From Reuters • Dec. 17, 2021

Immune system fighters were acting against the body’s defenses, like rebellious castle guards splintering their own gates.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2020

Immune system therapy is recently showing renewed signs of promise.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2014