cross-resistance

noun

The tolerance to a usually toxic substance stimulated by former exposure to a structurally similar substance.

“Cross-resistance between antibiotics of the same class can occur frequently.”

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Meanings

nouncross-resistance (countable and uncountable, plural cross-resistances)

plural cross-resistances · alternative crossresistance · alternative cross resistance

  1. countableuncountablemedicineThe tolerance to a usually toxic substance stimulated by former exposure to a structurally similar substance.

    Cross-resistance between antibiotics of the same class can occur frequently.

  2. countableuncountableimmunologyThe tolerance to the pathogenic effects of a microorganism stimulated by former exposure to a similar infectious agent.

Origin

From cross- + resistance.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

cross-resistance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cross-resistance

MLA

“cross-resistance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cross-resistance. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cross-resistance,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cross-resistance.

Source: cross-resistance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.