diplomatic immunity

American  

noun

1. exemption from taxation, searches, arrest, etc., enjoyed by diplomatic officials and their dependent families under international law, and usually on a reciprocal basis.

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diplomatic immunity British  

noun

1. the immunity from local jurisdiction and exemption from taxation in the country to which they are accredited afforded to diplomats

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diplomatic immunity Cultural  

1. Exemption of diplomats — ambassadors and other representatives of a foreign nation — from the laws of the nation to which they are assigned.

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Foreign representatives have sometimes gone unpunished for serious crimes after claiming diplomatic immunity. The main purpose of diplomatic immunity, however, is to protect diplomats from harassment or arrest by their host government.

Etymology

Origin of diplomatic immunity

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

She added that it was "unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used to carry out espionage."

From BBC • May 4, 2026

The hub will have diplomatic immunity, such as the protections afforded to an American embassy, and operate under U.S. common law—the first arrangement of its kind anywhere in the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The legal framework for the hub, ensuring diplomatic immunity, is to give companies the certainty that they are accountable under U.S. law in the case of civil disputes, Helberg said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Anne Sacoolas was not drug tested and was allowed to leave the scene before flying back to the US under diplomatic immunity.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

You were correct when you said you would have lost prestige had you fled Rákóczi's challenge or even insisted upon your diplomatic immunity rights.

From Frigid Fracas by Reynolds, Mack