immune system

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a diffuse, complex network of interacting cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris: the system includes the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and lymph tissue, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies, and lymphokines.

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immune system Scientific  

1. The body system in humans and other animals that protects the organism by distinguishing foreign tissue and neutralizing potentially pathogenic organisms or substances. The immune system includes organs such as the skin and mucous membranes, which provide an external barrier to infection, cells involved in the immune response, such as lymphocytes, and cell products such as lymphokines.

2. See also autoimmune disease immune response

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immune system Cultural  

1. The system in the body that works to ward off infection and disease. Central to this system are the white blood cells. Some white blood cells produce antibodies in response to specific antigens that may invade the body; others function as scavengers to fight infection by destroying bacteria and removing dead cells.

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Etymology

Origin of immune system

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

He started chemotherapy soon after the February podcast was recorded and was getting white blood cell injections to help boost his immune system.

From Los Angeles Times

So he used AI to delve deep into the world of emerging treatments including mRNA vaccines, which train the body's immune system and were widely used during the Covid pandemic.

From Barron's

Their work shows how signals from the immune system can actively reduce the desire to eat.

From Science Daily

Certain microbes living in the digestive system can send proteins straight into human cells, actively influencing how the immune system behaves.

From Science Daily

These molecules act as signaling substances in the immune system and are often linked to inflammation.

From Science Daily