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.

   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

1. A reaction, as that of an organism or any of its parts, to a specific stimulus.

2. See more at classical conditioning

Other Word Forms

• responseless adjective
• counterresponse 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

"It is a delicate balance," Mayor Solomon said of the response to it.

Read more on BBC

Several gay people interviewed expressed hope that despite—or perhaps in response to—government headwinds, institutional intransigence and political polarization, speaking out may be getting easier.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“A full understanding of the Lachman fire response is essential to an accurate accounting of what occurred during the January wildfires,” Bass wrote.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Police Scotland last week launched Operation Moonbeam, its annual public order response to violence and disorder around Bonfire Night.

Read more on BBC

Honda this week began stopping production across North American facilities in response to the semiconductor crunch.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• feedback 
• reply 
• return