serum

[ seer-uhm ]

noun

, plural se·rums, se·ra [seer, -, uh].

1. the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation of blood; blood serum.
2. immune serum.
3. any watery animal fluid.
4. the thin, clear part of the fluid of plants.
5. milk whey.

serum

/ ˈsɪərəm /

noun

1. See blood serum
   See blood serum
2. antitoxin obtained from the blood serum of immunized animals
3. physiol zoology clear watery fluid, esp that exuded by serous membranes
4. See whey
   a less common word for whey

serum

/ sîr′əm /

, Plural serums

1. See blood serum
2. 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈserumal, adjective

Other Words From

• serum·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of serum¹

1655–65; < Latin: whey

Word History and Origins

Origin of serum¹

C17: from Latin: whey

Example Sentences

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.

From 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.

From Essence.com

However, all the supersoldiers except for Isaiah eventually died from the serum.

From 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.

From 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.

From TechCrunch

If he contracts the disease, there will be no ‘secret serum’ waiting for him.

From The Daily Beast

A Washington Post blog asks: “Why do two white Americans get the Ebola serum while hundreds of Africans die?”

From The Daily Beast

The New Republic demands: “Why did two U.S. missionaries get an Ebola serum while Africans are left to die?”

From The Daily Beast

Never mind that there seem to have been no more than eight doses of the serum in existence.

From The Daily Beast

The serum failed to neutralize the virus in subsequent tests and seemed to offer little protection in animal experiments.

From The Daily Beast

It is thinner than that of chronic bronchitis, and upon standing separates into three layers of pus, mucus, and frothy serum.

From Project Gutenberg

It is especially useful with cultures upon serum media, but is applicable also to the sputum.

From Project Gutenberg

The clear, straw-colored fluid which is left after separation of the coagulum is called blood-serum.

From Project Gutenberg

One drop of the serum is then added to nine drops of normal salt solution, making a dilution of 1:10.

From Project Gutenberg

In serum therapy antitoxins are artificially excited into being in the blood of beasts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antibody