response

[ ri-spons ]

noun

1. an answer or reply, as in words or in some action.

   Synonyms: rejoinder

2. Biology. any behavior of a living organism that results from an external or internal stimulus.
3. Ecclesiastical.
   1. a verse, sentence, phrase, or word said or sung by the choir or congregation in reply to the officiant. Compare versicle ( def 2 ).
   2. responsory.
4. Bridge. a bid based on an evaluation of one's hand relative to the previous bid of one's partner.

response

/ rɪˈspɒns /

noun

1. the act of responding; reply or reaction
2. bridge a bid replying to a partner's bid or double
3. usually plural Christianity a short sentence or phrase recited or sung by the choir or congregation in reply to the officiant at a church service
4. electronics the ratio of the output to the input level, at a particular frequency, of a transmission line or electrical device
5. any pattern of glandular, muscular, or electrical reactions that arises from stimulation of the nervous system

response

/ rĭ-spŏns′ /

1. A reaction, as that of an organism or any of its parts, to a specific stimulus.
2. See more at classical conditioning

Derived Forms

• reˈsponseless, adjective

Other Words From

• re·sponseless adjective
• counter·re·sponse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of response¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Latin respōnsum, noun use of neuter past participle of respondēre “to reply, answer”; replacing Middle English respounse, from Middle French respons, from Latin, as above; respond

Word History and Origins

Origin of response¹

C14: from Latin rēsponsum answer, from rēspondēre to respond

Synonym Study

See answer.

Example Sentences

A classic example of the amygdala in action is someone's physiological and emotional response to seeing a snake: startled body, racing heart, sweaty palms.

From Science Daily

Teachers also have received special training in how to analyze data and adapt lessons in response.

From Los Angeles Times

Commentators watching the livestream typed responses on the Citizen app, noting that the fire was part of a movie set.

From Los Angeles Times

The Kremlin then took its response a step further by deploying a new type of missile - "Oreshnik" - to strike the Ukrainian city of Dnipro.

From BBC

Stressing your muscles through exercise strengthens them, and transient stress on cells can prompt them to a response that ultimately strengthens them.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• feedback
• reply
• return