allergen

[ al-er-juh n, -jen ]
/ ˈæl ər dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR allergen ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Immunology.

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

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Origin of allergen

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

Words nearby allergen

allende meteorite, allende, salvador, allenstein, allentown, alleppey, allergen, allergenic, allergenic extract, allergic, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic purpura
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to allergen

dander, irritant, pollen, antigen, ragweed

British Dictionary definitions for allergen

allergen
/ (ˈæləˌdʒɛn) /

noun

any substance capable of inducing an allergy

Derived forms of allergen

allergenic, adjectiveallergenicity, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for allergen

allergen
[ ăl′ər-jən ]

n.

A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergy.
antigen

Other words from allergen

al′ler•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for allergen

allergen
[ ăl′ər-jən ]

A substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergic reaction.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.