immune system

noun

: the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues by producing the immune response and that includes especially the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, special deposits of lymphoid tissue (as in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow), macrophages, lymphocytes including the B cells and T cells, and antibodies

Examples of immune system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team says their research into anglerfish immune systems may one day inform advances in human health and medicine. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 June 2024

Advertisement Unlike Type 1 diabetes, in which the body makes little to no insulin and the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that make insulin, Type 2 diabetes is more common and more likely to result from lifestyle choices revolving around diet and exercise. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024

Nita Jain, a biotech founder and patient representative working on upcoming scientific papers with RECOVER, thinks more in-depth examination of these samples could help answer questions about changes to the immune system and other biological changes that occur following Covid-19 infection. —Betsy Ladyzhets, STAT, 31 May 2024

Notably, crab shells contain chitosan, which boosts the immune system. —Adrienne Mayor, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1919, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

immune system

noun

: the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues by producing the immune response and that includes especially the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, lymphocytes, and antibodies

Medical Definition

immune system

noun

: the bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues by producing the immune response and that includes especially the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, special deposits of lymphoid tissue (as in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow), lymphocytes including the B cells and T cells, and antibodies