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

Diplomatic immunity is a concept that goes back to ancient times, when warring tribes allowed enemy messengers safe passage as a way to communicate with each other.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Diplomatic immunity is essential to the ability of every nation to conduct its foreign relations.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

Regardless, he added: "Diplomatic immunity very well may apply to some or all of Mr. Lorenzo's actions."

From US News • Oct. 9, 2015

"Just because he is a diplomat does not mean he gets off scot-free. Diplomatic immunity is not about having the licence to commit crime," he was quoted as saying.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2014

Diplomatic immunity did not make sense to him.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden