re·sponse / riˈspäns/ • n. a verbal or written answer: without waiting for a response, she returned to her newspaper | we received 400 applications in response to one job ad. ∎  a written or verbal answer to a question in a test, questionnaire, survey, etc. ∎  a reaction to something: an extended, jazzy piano solo drew the biggest response from the crowd | an honors degree course in Japanese has been established in response to an increasing demand. ∎  Psychol. & Physiol. an excitation of a nerve impulse caused by a change or event; a physical reaction to a specific stimulus or situation. ∎  the way in which a mechanical or electrical device responds to a stimulus or range of stimuli. ∎  (usu. responses) a part of a religious liturgy said or sung by a congregation in answer to a minister or cantor. ∎  Bridge a bid made in answer to one's partner's preceding bid.

response The physiological, muscular, or behavioural activity that can be elicited by a stimulus.

response (ri-spons) n. the way in which the body or part of the body reacts to a stimulus.