immunity

[ ih-myoo-ni-tee ]

/ ɪˈmyu nɪ ti /

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See synonyms for immunity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural im·mu·ni·ties.

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

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

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

exemption from any natural or usual liability.

exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation, jurisdiction, etc.: The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested him for reckless driving.

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

special privilege.

Ecclesiastical.

the exemption of ecclesiastical persons and things from secular or civil liabilities, duties, and burdens.
a particular exemption of this kind.

OTHER WORDS FOR immunity

5 franchise, license, liberty, prerogative.

See synonyms for immunity on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR immunity

1 susceptibility.

4, 5 liability.

See antonyms for immunity on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

synonym study for immunity

4. See exemption.

OTHER WORDS FROM immunity

hy·per·im·mu·ni·ty, nounnon·im·mu·ni·ty, noun, plural non·im·mu·ni·ties.self-im·mu·ni·ty, noun, plural self·-im·mu·ni·ties.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH immunity

immunity , impunity

Words nearby immunity

immune checkpoint therapy, immune complex, immune response, immune serum, immune system, immunity, immunity bath, immunization, immunize, immuno-, immunoadsorbent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use immunity in a sentence

If reinfections are common, it might make it hard to ever reach herd immunity.
A Hong Kong man got the new coronavirus twice|Erin Garcia de Jesus|August 26, 2020|Science News For Students
Another is how long the immunity from his first infection lasted.
What the first confirmed COVID-19 reinfection tells us about a future vaccine|Naomi Xu Elegant|August 25, 2020|Fortune
Overall, it’s unknown how long immunity to the coronavirus lasts.
A man in Hong Kong is the first confirmed case of coronavirus reinfection|Erin Garcia de Jesus|August 24, 2020|Science News
They would be ideal for large wild populations because even just a few individual animals vaccinated with them could spread immunity widely.
Can Vaccines for Wildlife Prevent Human Pandemics?|Rodrigo Pérez Ortega|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine

It’s also not yet known exactly how long immunity to the coronavirus lasts.
Survey of India’s 9th-largest city finds COVID antibodies in 52% of the population|Naomi Xu Elegant|August 21, 2020|Fortune
What sets him apart from so many of his contemporaries was his rare immunity from the influence of prevailing ideas.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler|John Henry Crosby|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The central issue is de facto immunity traditionally given to bishops and cardinals.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A warrant was issued for her arrest along with her husband, who lost his immunity as he was now forced from office.
Mexico’s First Lady of Murder Is on the Lam|Michael Daly|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prior to her arrest, Johnson was living under partial immunity in Gent, Belgium, while a case was being built against her.
Caught: Female Assassin Who Allegedly Murdered Five American Nuns|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, the act that gives blanket immunity seems only to apply to licensed dealers.
Victim’s Parents Sue Merchants of the Aurora Massacre|Cliff Schecter|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Violation of the immunity due to those who come with this mission, duly accredited, in the form prescribed by international law.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
And the Christians claim this immunity from attack as a triumph of their arms, and a further proof of the truth of their religion.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
The Swiss take precaution to protect themselves from their ravages as other folk do to procure immunity from floods.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
The stage has continued to enjoy a species of traditional immunity from all the reprobation which swearing is presumed to incur.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
Our closest imitation of natural immunity is vaccination against small-pox.
The Treatment of Hay Fever|George Frederick Laidlaw

British Dictionary definitions for immunity

immunity

/ (ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

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

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

any special privilege granting immunity

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for immunity

immunity

[ ĭ-myōō′nĭ-tē ]

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. See also acquired immunity.

Cultural definitions for immunity

immunity

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

immunity

OTHER WORDS FOR immunity

OPPOSITES FOR immunity

Origin of immunity

synonym study for immunity

OTHER WORDS FROM immunity

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH immunity

Words nearby immunity

Words related to immunity

How to use immunity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for immunity

Scientific definitions for immunity

Cultural definitions for immunity