antivenom

American  

[an-tee-ven-uhm, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈvɛn əm, ˌæn taɪ- /

Also antivenin

noun

1. an antitoxin present in the blood of an animal following repeated injections of venom.

2. the antitoxic serum obtained from such blood.

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Etymology

Origin of antivenom

First recorded in 1890–95; earlier antiven(ene) ( anti- + venene ( def. ) ), from Latin venēnum “potion, poison” ( venom ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

He called on governments to integrate snakebite treatments into core health strategies and ensure that antivenom was accessible.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

The crisis is compounded by a critical shortage of affordable antivenom, which needs to be stored in fridges - often impossible in areas with unreliable electricity.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

He went out looking for another vial of antivenom - as did her uncle.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

But it is hard not to panic when one arrives at a hospital to find there is no antivenom, which happened to Ifunanya, meaning she had to go to another one.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

“Your father...your father...wouldn’t treat my mother when she got bit by a snake. He had some of the antivenom that could have helped her.”

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper