HLA

American

Immunology.

human leukocyte antigen: any of a complex of genetically determined antigens, occurring on the surface of almost every human cell, by which one person's cells can be distinguished from another's and the histocompatibility and genetic likeness of any two persons can be established: the major histocompatibility antigen of humans.

Etymology

Origin of HLA

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

HLA

According to the Department of Economy, more than 2,100 students were enrolled on an HLA course in an FE College in Northern Ireland in 2024/25.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“However, HLA does not apply to Metro projects.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2025

HLA requires the city add wider sidewalks, bike lanes and make other improvements it recommended in its mobility plan every time the streets are repaved.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2024

In celiac disease, two specific HLA proteins, namely HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, are strongly associated with the condition.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2024

Day wouldn’t have understood the concept of immortal cells or HLA markers coming from anyone, accent or not—he’d only gone to school for four years of his life, and he’d never studied science.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023