animal model

noun

: an animal sufficiently like humans in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen to be used in medical research in order to obtain results that can be extrapolated to human medicine
also : a pathological or physiological condition that occurs in such an animal and is similar to one occurring in humans

Examples of animal model in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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With an unprecedented image resolution, this technology led to mapping of the vascularization to precisely quantify the blood flow dynamics of the heart, kidney, and liver in animal models comparable to human size. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025 Studies in animal models have also shown that oleic acid, a fatty acid found in olive oil, can enhance the function of the intestinal barrier by increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, specifically Bifidobacteria. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2025 To bridge this gap, our team is using animal models to teach the algorithms to analyze heart sounds to find early signs of disease. Joshua Hutcheson, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025 The protocol for giving new drugs is generally based on evidence seen in animal models and then in human trials, says Mattias Wieloch, a cardiologist and medical head of the type 1 diabetes program in North America at Sanofi, the company that manufactures teplizumab as Tzield. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for animal model

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal model was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Animal model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20model. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

animal model

noun
: an animal sufficiently like humans in its anatomy, physiology, or response to a pathogen to be used in medical research in order to obtain results that can be extrapolated to human medicine
also : a pathological or physiological condition that occurs in such an animal and is similar (as in its pathology or physiology) to a human condition
experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is a useful animal model in the study of multiple sclerosis in humans
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