anaphylactic shock

American  

noun

1. Pathology. a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction to a foreign substance, especially a protein, as serum or bee venom, to which an individual has become sensitized, often involving rapid swelling, acute respiratory distress, and collapse of circulation.

---

anaphylactic shock British  

noun

1. a severe, sometimes fatal, reaction to a substance to which a person has an extreme sensitivity, often involving respiratory difficulty and circulation failure

---

anaphylactic shock Scientific  

/ ăn′ə-fə-lăk′tĭk /

1. A sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction, characterized by dilation of blood vessels with a sharp drop in blood pressure and bronchial spasm with shortness of breath. Anaphylactic shock is caused by exposure to a foreign substance, such as a drug or bee venom, to which the individual has been previously exposed. The substances act as antigens, provoking a preliminary immune response during the first exposure that results in a full-blown, immediate response during secondary exposure, called an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Emergency treatment, including epinephrine injections, must be administered to prevent death.

2. Also called anaphylaxis

---

Etymology

Origin of anaphylactic shock

First recorded in 1905–10

---

Compare meaning

How does anaphylactic-shock compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anaphylaxis vs. anaphylactic shock

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anaphylactic shock

He donates the venison to food pantries because he has alpha-gal and his son “almost died from anaphylactic shock from two Advil gel caps,” he told me.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

Such reactions can range from responses with “no clinical manifestations” to irritating rashes to life-threatening conditions such as anaphylactic shock, which constricts breathing and impairs motor function.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2026

When my parents gave me that yellow M&M display in 2020, my throat tightened and my eyes welled up—not because I was going into anaphylactic shock but because I knew I was loved.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025

In her grounds of complaint, Ms Hoskins states she is disabled due to her severe allergy to cocoa, which can "trigger an anaphylactic shock and lead to potentially fatal cardiorespiratory arrest".

From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2025

He didn’t think it was any more dangerous than playing with millions of stinging insects and risking anaphylactic shock.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---