spike protein
noun
variants
or less commonly spike glycoprotein
plural spike proteins also spike glycoproteins
: a glycoprotein that protrudes from the envelope of some viruses (such as a coronavirus) and facilitates entry of the virion into a host cell by binding to a receptor on the surface of a host cell followed by fusion of the viral and host cell membranes
Like a key in a lock, these spike proteins fuse to receptors on the surface of cells, allowing the virus's genetic code to invade the host cell, take over its machinery and replicate.—
Bruce Lieberman
Bruce LiebermanTheir results, published in Science, confirm that the spike protein on the virus that causes COVID-19 is quite similar to that of its close relative, the SARS virus.—Francis Collins
Francis CollinsUsing a powerful imaging technique … , researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Weill Cornell Medical College and Yale University School of Medicine observed the motions of key proteins on the surface of HIV called spike proteins.—Emily Mullin
Emily Mullincalled also S protein
Examples of spike protein in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The virus appears to be more transmissible because there appear to be changes to the spike protein, which is what the virus uses to attach to and infect cells, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 June 2025
The messenger RNA in Covid-19 vaccines instructs cells in the body to make a certain piece of the virus’ spike protein — the structure on the surface of the coronavirus.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
The physician-scientist and biochemist has falsely claimed spike proteins from COVID-19 mRNA vaccines often cause permanent damage to children's vital organs.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Some of the individuals who experienced chronic illness after getting the shots had detectable levels of spike protein more than 700 days after vaccination.
—Stephanie Armour | Kff Health News, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spike protein
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Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 June 2025
The messenger RNA in Covid-19 vaccines instructs cells in the body to make a certain piece of the virus’ spike protein — the structure on the surface of the coronavirus.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
The physician-scientist and biochemist has falsely claimed spike proteins from COVID-19 mRNA vaccines often cause permanent damage to children's vital organs.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Some of the individuals who experienced chronic illness after getting the shots had detectable levels of spike protein more than 700 days after vaccination.
—Stephanie Armour | Kff Health News, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spike protein
Cite this Entry
“Spike protein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spike%20protein. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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