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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Discover More

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

French Response grants itself no diplomatic immunity for stereotypes, either.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Dame Anne's report explained that she was a US State Department employee, but had diplomatic immunity at the time because she was the wife of a US intelligence officer.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

That is, I had time to think during those few moments when Hoddy wasn't taking advantage of our diplomatic immunity to invent new air-ground traffic laws.

From Lone Star Planet by Piper, H. Beam