1. The act of responding.
2. A reply or an answer.
3. A reaction, as that of an organism or a mechanism, to a specific stimulus.
4. 1. Ecclesiastical. Something that is spoken or sung by a congregation or choir in answer to the officiating minister or priest.
   2. A responsory.

[Middle English respons, from Old French, from Latin respōnsum, from neuter past participle of respondēre, to respond. See respond.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.