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

That was because they weren’t subject to full U.S. jurisdiction, since they inherited their parents’ diplomatic immunity.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2026

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

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