immunosuppression

American  

[im-yuh-noh-suh-presh-uhn, ih-myoo-] / ˌɪm yə noʊ səˈprɛʃ ən, ɪˌmyu- /

noun

Pathology.

1. the inhibition of the normal immune response because of disease, the administration of drugs, or surgery.

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immunosuppression British  

/ ˌɪmjʊnəʊsəˈprɛʃən /

noun

1. medical suppression of the body's immune system, esp in order to reduce the likelihood of rejection of a transplanted organ

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immunosuppression Scientific  

/ ĭm′yə-nō-sə-prĕsh′ən,ĭ-myo̅o̅′- /

1. Suppression of the body's immune response, as by drugs or radiation, in order to prevent the rejection of grafts or transplants or to treat autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Other Word Forms

• immunosuppressed adjective

Etymology

Origin of immunosuppression

First recorded in 1960–65; immuno- + suppression

Example Sentences

In others who have previously been infected, immunosuppression can allow the virus to reactivate and multiply.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Ms Bolton said she also had to use more energy to heat her home to keep Oliver warm, because of his immunosuppression treatment.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2025

One of the key contributors to glioblastoma's poor outlook is its natural immunosuppression coupled with its intrinsic diversity -- a one-two punch that limits immune successes against controlling glioblastoma in patients.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

In 2014, she was diagnosed with a genetic condition—so rare that it has no name—that caused immunosuppression, bouts of volatile blood pressure, and peripheral vision loss.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 4, 2023

There were a few more xenotransplants in the 1990s, but it became clear that better immunosuppression alone would not solve the problem.

From Scientific American • Oct. 19, 2023