response

American  

[ri-spons] / rɪˈspɒns /

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.

   2. responsory.

4. Bridge. a bid based on an evaluation of one's hand relative to the previous bid of one's partner.

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response British  

/ 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

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response Scientific  

/ 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

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Related Words

See answer.

Other Word Forms

• counterresponse noun
• responseless adjective

Etymology

Origin of response

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; see respond

Explanation

A response is a reaction to a question, experience, or some other type of stimulus. If you cry at sad movies, you're having an emotional response to the drama that's taking place on the screen. A response can come in many forms, including an answer to a question, an emotional reaction, or a reply. If a teacher asks, "Who invented the phonograph?" She hopes her students will give her the response, "Why, Thomas Edison, of course!" When a parent tells a child not to cross the street when the light is red, he hopes the response will be compliance.

Example Sentences

The company is also piloting software that shares incident data directly with local police stations to speed up reporting and response.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Eli Lilly said that while the currently approved Type I JAK2 inhibitors provide clinical and symptomatic relief, many patients often discontinue treatment due to a lack of durable benefit or loss of response.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

In the U.S., a weakening macro picture makes rate hikes in response to inflation less likely than in 2022.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

However, in response to a shareholder lawsuit, the Delaware Chancery Court invalidated the options package in 2024.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

And I understand the hopeful, liquid expression in his eyes, and the way he searches my face for a response.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• feedback
• reply
• return