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; respond

Example Sentences

In response to the reader last week who was wondering why so many All-Area basketball players are leaving L.A. for other colleges: Mick Cronin.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

While not framed as a direct response to the earlier controversy, the casting offers a quiet rebuttal to the narrative that once surrounded him.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Strengthening those signals made fear memories more intense, while weakening them reduced the response.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Senegal's move is the latest response from the continent to the oil price rise, which has seen countries reducing fuel levies and rationing electricity.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The only way to communicate was in person, so workers had to carry messages back and forth between the emergency response center and the control rooms.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• feedback
• reply
• return