response

American  

[ri-spons] / rɪˈspɒns /

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.

   2. responsory.

4. Bridge. a bid based on an evaluation of one's hand relative to the previous bid of one's partner.

---

response British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ 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

---

Related Words

See answer.

Other Word Forms

• counterresponse noun
• responseless adjective

Etymology

Origin of response

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

Example Sentences

Since season four's release, McGonigal said the fan response had been "unbelievable".

From BBC

Babin has at times shrunk positions and tightened her risk threshold in response to volatility, racing to understand fast-changing freight costs and insurance premiums.

From The Wall Street Journal

In response, Eaton told the government to return for another meeting Friday to propose alternatives that wouldn’t require thousands of companies to individually sue in court.

From Barron's

If he thought their responses worthy, he would share them with the larger group.

From The Wall Street Journal

The internet’s demand for the right response, all the time, is designed to corner people.

From Salon

Related Words

• feedback
• reply
• return