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

The causes of neurodegenerative diseases are largely mysterious, but the current thinking is that they involve inflammation, a normal function of the immune system that is usually short-lived in response to infections or wounds.

From Science Daily

Ideally, a vaccine would teach the immune system to recognize the closed pre-fusion F protein so it could stop infection.

From Science Daily

The disease affects roughly 24 million people a year worldwide and primarily impacts infants and those with weakened immune systems.

From Science Daily

Acute infections normally clear up spontaneously in patients with an intact immune system.

From Science Daily

E. coli bacteria cause infections that are especially dangerous in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

From Los Angeles Times