immunology

American  

[im-yuh-nol-uh-jee] / ˌɪm yəˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the branch of science dealing with the components of the immune system, immunity from disease, the immune response, and immunologic techniques of analysis.

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immunology British  

/ ˌɪmjʊˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˌɪmjʊnəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. the branch of biological science concerned with the study of immunity

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immunology Scientific  

/ ĭm′yə-nŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of the structure and function of the immune system.

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Other Word Forms

• immunologic
  adjective
• immunological
  adjective
• immunologically
  adverb
• immunologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of immunology

First recorded in 1905–10; immuno- + -logy

Explanation

Immunology is the science of body systems that protect against infection. It's thanks to immunology that we're able to treat and prevent so many diseases today. Immunology is formed by adding the suffix -ology, or "science," to immune, or "exempt from a disease." Scientists and doctors who specialize in immunology study the way our immune systems function (and sometimes malfunction) as they work to defend us from viruses and bacteria. Immunologists are also instrumental in creating vaccines against new diseases and promising treatments like cancer immunotherapy, which boost the patient's own immune system.

Example Sentences

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Halle identified a substance that targets harmful pathogens without affecting the rest of the microbial community.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

The deal will also accelerate the company’s expansion into nephrology, which began in late 2024 with the acquisition of Human Immunology Biosciences.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

In men, those white blood cells are more likely to produce a pain-resolving molecule that can quickly quell the ache, according to a recent study in the journal Science Immunology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Prof Danny Altmann, from the Department of Immunology and Inflammation at Imperial, says there had been "little research" into the relationship between both "post-infectious, persistent conditions".

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

One of the studies, published in Nature Immunology, was led by Ludwig Princeton researcher Yibin Kang and graduate student Cao Fang.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026