antihistamine

noun

an·ti·his·ta·mine ˌan-tē-ˈhi-stə-ˌmēn

-mən,

ˌan-tī-

: any of various compounds that counteract histamine in the body and that are used for treating allergic reactions (such as hay fever) and cold symptoms

antihistamine adjective

antihistaminic

ˌan-tē-ˌhi-stə-ˈmi-nik

ˌan-tī-

adjective or noun

Examples of antihistamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

For now, antihistamines and certain other drugs for hives can tamp down some itchiness triggered by mast cells. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 Apply a cold compress, and consider taking an antihistamine to help with itching. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 22 June 2026 The antihistamine is used in over-the-counter products to treat symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching and nausea. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 June 2026 Reishi is not a same-day fix the way a pharmacy antihistamine can be, and its benefits build gradually as the compounds work on the immune system over time. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for antihistamine

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of antihistamine was in 1946

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Antihistamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antihistamine. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

antihistamine

noun

an·ti·his·ta·mine ˌant-i-ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn

-mən,

ˌan-ˌtī-

: any of various drugs used for treating allergic reactions and cold symptoms

Medical Definition

antihistamine

1 of 2 adjective

an·ti·his·ta·mine ˌant-i-ˈhis-tə-ˌmēn, ˌan-ˌtī-, -mən

: tending to block or counteract the physiological action of histamine

human blood lacks antihistamine activity

antihistamine

2 of 2 noun

: any of various compounds that oppose the actions of histamine and are used especially for treating allergic reactions (as hay fever), cold symptoms, and motion sickness

antihistamine

noun

Examples of antihistamine in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on antihistamine

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes