immunoglobulin

American  

[im-yuh-noh-glob-yuh-lin, ih-myoo-] / ˌɪm jə noʊˈglɒb jə lɪn, ɪˌmju- /

noun

1. any of several classes of structurally related proteins that function as antibodies or receptors and are found in plasma and other body fluids and in the membrane of certain cells.

2. the fraction of the blood serum containing antibodies.

3. an antibody. Ig

---

immunoglobulin British  

/ ˌɪmjʊnəʊˈɡlɒbjʊlɪn /

noun

1. any of five classes of proteins, all of which show antibody activity. The most abundant ones are immunoglobulin G ( IgG ) and immunoglobulin A ( IgA )

---

immunoglobulin Scientific  

/ ĭm′yə-nō-glŏb′yə-lĭn,ĭ-myo̅o̅′- /

1. See antibody

---

Etymology

Origin of immunoglobulin

First recorded in 1955–60; immuno- + globulin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

immunoglobulin

After surgery, doctors recommended she receive a tetanus jag and a dose of immunoglobulin to provide immediate protection against the potentially fatal infection as she hadn't been vaccinated before.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

“We think the market will particularly like the immunoglobulin performance with FY26 revenue growth of 4% year-over-year and 2H26 growth of 14% on-year,” analyst Craig Wong-Pan says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

Famotidine, intravenous immunoglobulin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 agonists are under investigation for neurological, immune-related, heart, and kidney symptoms.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 8, 2026

He was arrested on Friday for alleged involvement in the procurement of counterfeit intravenous human immunoglobulin, which is used to help fight infections and cancer, and was ordered held for investigation until Feb. 15.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 6, 2024

“They also had much higher inflammation in their blood markers, and they also had higher IgE levels, an immunoglobulin associated with reactive airway disease, asthma and other breathing problems.”

From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2024