: a technique or test used to detect the presence or quantity of a substance (such as a protein) based on its capacity to act as an antigen

Examples of immunoassay in a Sentence

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Enzyme immunoassays, however, can be performed as a point of care test with results available in 15 minutes to an hour. Tanya Feke, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2024 The authors tested the samples using immunoassay test strips similar to those used to measure alcohol levels in humans. ArsTechnica, 25 Feb. 2026 These tests typically rely on immunoassay techniques that look for metabolites produced by the breakdown of various drugs in the body. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2023 Antibody and antigen tests are typically run as lateral flow immunoassays, says Lalli, and—like pregnancy tests—come as a dipstick. Naomi Xu Elegant, Fortune, 26 May 2020 The new method uses a conventional fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), a technique that harnesses fluorescent dye and light to detect antibodies. Fox News, 21 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + assay entry 2

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunoassay was in 1959

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Cite this Entry

“Immunoassay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunoassay. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: a technique or test (as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) used to detect the presence or quantity of a substance (as a protein) based on its capacity to act as an antigen or antibody
immunoassay transitive verb
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