serum

[ seer-uhm ]

/ ˈsɪər əm /

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See synonyms for serum on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural se·rums, se·ra

[seer-uh]. /ˈsɪər ə/.

the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation of blood; blood serum.

immune serum.

any watery animal fluid.

the thin, clear part of the fluid of plants.

milk whey.

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Origin of serum

1655–65; <Latin: whey

OTHER WORDS FROM serum

se·rum·al, adjective

Words nearby serum

serry, Sert, Sertorius, sertraline, sertularian, serum, serum albumin, serum globulin, serum hepatitis, serum sickness, serv.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use serum in a sentence

In May, Moderna reported that serum from people given the half dose of the existing vaccine neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants at levels similar to or higher than those against the non-variant strain.
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Booster Shots|Alice Park|July 15, 2021|Time
Its intense hydrating benefits – and unique ability to hold many times its weight in water – make it a popular active ingredient in many hydrating serums and masks.
ABC’s of Skin Health: Get to Know the Skincare Ingredients That Go Into the Science of Great Skin and How They Help Melanated Skin Types|Steven Psyllos|June 25, 2021|Essence.com
However, all the supersoldiers except for Isaiah eventually died from the serum.
All Your Falcon and the Winter Soldier Finale Questions, Answered|Eliana Dockterman|April 23, 2021|Time
Enter “clean beauty”— images of effortlessly glowing people, makeup products that double as magical skin serums, and lists of supposedly ethical qualities ranging from cruelty-free to fragrance-free to formaldehyde-free.
Are ‘clean’ cosmetics better for us than other beauty products?|Sara Kiley Watson|March 17, 2021|Popular-Science

Our top-selling products are serums, toners, essences, which makes a lot of sense because people are in their homes and have more time to dedicate to their skincare routines.
Singapore-based Raena gets $9M Series A for its pivot to skincare and beauty-focused social commerce|Catherine Shu|February 26, 2021|TechCrunch
If he contracts the disease, there will be no ‘secret serum’ waiting for him.
Fighting Ebola With Nothing but Hope|Abby Haglage|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A Washington Post blog asks: “Why do two white Americans get the Ebola serum while hundreds of Africans die?”
Why the White Americans Got the ‘Secret’ Ebola Serum|Michael Daly|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The New Republic demands: “Why did two U.S. missionaries get an Ebola serum while Africans are left to die?”
Why the White Americans Got the ‘Secret’ Ebola Serum|Michael Daly|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Never mind that there seem to have been no more than eight doses of the serum in existence.
Why the White Americans Got the ‘Secret’ Ebola Serum|Michael Daly|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The serum failed to neutralize the virus in subsequent tests and seemed to offer little protection in animal experiments.
Infected Ebola Doctor Kent Brantly Is an Endangered Hero|Michael Daly|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is thinner than that of chronic bronchitis, and upon standing separates into three layers of pus, mucus, and frothy serum.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
It is especially useful with cultures upon serum media, but is applicable also to the sputum.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The clear, straw-colored fluid which is left after separation of the coagulum is called blood-serum.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
One drop of the serum is then added to nine drops of normal salt solution, making a dilution of 1:10.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
In serum therapy antitoxins are artificially excited into being in the blood of beasts.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

British Dictionary definitions for serum

serum

/ (ˈsɪərəm) /

noun plural -rums or -ra (-rə)

See blood serum

antitoxin obtained from the blood serum of immunized animals

physiol zoology clear watery fluid, esp that exuded by serous membranes

a less common word for whey

Derived forms of serum

serumal, adjective

Word Origin for serum

C17: from Latin: whey

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for serum

serum

[ sîr′əm ]

Plural serums sera

See blood serum.

Blood serum extracted from an animal that has immunity to a particular disease. The serum contains antibodies to one or more specific disease antigens, and when injected into humans or other animals, it can transfer immunity to those diseases.

serum

Origin of serum

OTHER WORDS FROM serum

Words nearby serum

Words related to serum

How to use serum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for serum

Derived forms of serum

Word Origin for serum

Scientific definitions for serum