immune system

noun

, Anatomy.

1. a diffuse, complex network of interacting cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris: the system includes the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and lymph tissue, stem cells, white blood cells, antibodies, and lymphokines.

immune system

1. The body system in humans and other animals that protects the organism by distinguishing foreign tissue and neutralizing potentially pathogenic organisms or substances. The immune system includes organs such as the skin and mucous membranes, which provide an external barrier to infection, cells involved in the immune response, such as lymphocytes, and cell products such as lymphokines.
2. See also autoimmune disease

immune system

1. The system in the body that works to ward off infection and disease. Central to this system are the white blood cells . Some white blood cells produce antibodies in response to specific antigens that may invade the body; others function as scavengers to fight infection by destroying bacteria and removing dead cells.

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune system¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

There is a scientific hypothesis called the “original antigenic sin” that suggests that a person’s first exposure to a particular virus “may sort of kind of set the tone” for that person’s immune system going forward — so this worker’s first flu exposure may have provided his immune system with the defenses needed to suppress H5N1.

From Los Angeles Times

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma develops in B-lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system and account for the majority of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, according to the American Cancer Society.

From Los Angeles Times

In the years leading up to his death, Di’Anno had been suffering from a weakened immune system after contracting sepsis nine years ago, his family and record label said in an Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

Too much candy can also affect your immune system.

From Salon

Sugar and inflammation undermine the microbiome's role in training the immune system to distinguish between harmful invaders and harmless substances.

From Salon