immunity

American  

[ih-myoo-ni-tee] / ɪˈmyu nɪ ti /

noun

plural

immunities

1. the state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular disease or the like.

   Antonyms:

   susceptibility

2. the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease.

3. the ability of a cell to react immunologically in the presence of an antigen.

4. exemption from any natural or usual liability.

   Antonyms:

   liability

5. exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation, jurisdiction, etc..

   The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested him for reckless driving.

   Synonyms:

   prerogative, liberty, license, franchise

   Antonyms:

   liability

6. Law. exemption from criminal prosecution or legal liability or punishment on certain conditions.

7. special privilege.

8. Ecclesiastical.

   1. the exemption of ecclesiastical persons and things from secular or civil liabilities, duties, and burdens.

   2. a particular exemption of this kind.

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immunity British  

/ ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. the ability of an organism to resist disease, either through the activities of specialized blood cells or antibodies produced by them in response to natural exposure or inoculation ( active immunity ) or by the injection of antiserum or the transfer of antibodies from a mother to her baby via the placenta or breast milk ( passive immunity ) See also acquired immunity natural immunity

2. freedom from obligation or duty, esp exemption from tax, duty, legal liability, etc

3. any special privilege granting immunity

4. the exemption of ecclesiastical persons or property from various civil obligations or liabilities

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immunity Scientific  

/ ĭ-myo̅o̅′nĭ-tē /

1. The protection of the body from a disease caused by an infectious agent, such as a bacterium or virus. Immunity may be natural (that is, inherited) or acquired.

2. See also acquired immunity

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immunity Cultural  

1. The ability of the body to resist or fight off infection and disease.

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Related Words

See exemption.

Other Word Forms

• hyperimmunity
  noun
• nonimmunity
  noun
• self-immunity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of immunity

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French immunite, from Latin immūnitāt-, stem of immūnitās “freedom or exemption from public charges or burdens.” See immune, -ity

Explanation

Immunity means exemption or resistance. If you're protected against something, you have immunity to it. Your new silver clothes just might grant you immunity from getting thrown in jail by the fashion police. In the late 14th century, the noun immunity, which means “exempt from service or obligation,” developed from the Latin immunitatem, which has nearly identical meaning. Break that word down even further, and you get immunis, meaning “exempt, free,” from in "not" and munis, meaning “performing services.” In a medical sense, immunity is “protection from disease.” Your annual flu shot tries to give you immunity from, or make you insusceptible to, the illness.

Example Sentences

In places where measles vaccination rates are less than 95%, the threshold considered necessary for herd immunity, unvaccinated people — including infants too young to be vaccinated — are especially at risk.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Last year, he survived two attempts by Congress to strip him of his immunity so that he could be prosecuted for alleged corruption.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

It’s not absolute, but typically if you’re acting within the scope of your duties, it’s pretty easy to be able to stand behind some sort of immunity.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Elected officials should not give up government immunity or their ability to make their own decisions, said Bill Helfand, a municipal law expert and Houston attorney.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Was he motivated by a promise of immunity, or was it a personal vendetta against Faraday?

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• amnesty
• charter
• freedom
• impunity
• indemnity
• license
• prerogative
• protection