antigen
Immunology. any substance, as a protein, carbohydrate, etc., that, on entering the body, can stimulate an immune response and combine with a specific antibody or T cell receptor having a matching molecular structure.
Pharmacology. any commercial substance, usually synthetic, that stimulates the production of antibodies when injected or absorbed into animal tissues.
antigens of a particular type collectively.
Origin of antigen
1Other words from antigen
- an·ti·gen·ic [an-ti-jen-ik], /ˌæn tɪˈdʒɛn ɪk/, adjective
- an·ti·gen·i·cal·ly, adverb
- an·ti·ge·nic·i·ty [an-ti-juh-nis-i-tee], /ˌæn tɪ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for antigen
/ (ˈæntɪdʒən, -ˌdʒɛn) /
a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies
Origin of antigen
1Derived forms of antigen
- antigenic, adjective
- antigenically, adverb
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
Scientific definitions for antigen
[ ăn′tĭ-jən ]
A substance that stimulates the production of an antibody when introduced into the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. Compare antibody. See Note at blood type.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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