Meanings
nounCD4 (countable and uncountable, plural CD4s)
plural CD4s
- countableuncountableimmunologyA glycoprotein found on the surface of helper T cells and several other types of immune cells.
- countableimmunologyA CD4+ helper T cell.
In short, while CD4 counts can tell you where you are now, the viral load tells you where you are going.
1996 September, Louise Rice, “New Knowledges, New Treatments, New Hope”, in Gay Community News, page 5
Synonyms & antonyms
nouna glycoprotein that is found primarily on the surface of helper T cells
Similar
cluster of differentiation 4
Broader
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Initialism of cluster of differentiation type 4.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
CD4. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CD4
MLA
“CD4.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CD4. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “CD4,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CD4.
Source: CD4 on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.