immunology
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of immunology
Explanation
Immunology is the science of body systems that protect against infection. It's thanks to immunology that we're able to treat and prevent so many diseases today. Immunology is formed by adding the suffix -ology, or "science," to immune, or "exempt from a disease." Scientists and doctors who specialize in immunology study the way our immune systems function (and sometimes malfunction) as they work to defend us from viruses and bacteria. Immunologists are also instrumental in creating vaccines against new diseases and promising treatments like cancer immunotherapy, which boost the patient's own immune system.
Vocabulary lists containing immunology
Microbiology - High School
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Microbiology - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“If you’ve had chickenpox naturally, that will go away, but it will live dormant. It’ll hang out within your nerves,” Tbakhi, now an allergy and immunology fellow at the University of Cincinnati, explained.
From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026
AbbVie’s third-quarter revenue rose 10% to $17.4 billion, driven by higher sales for its immunology and neuroscience drugs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Sales at the U.K. drugmaker’s oncology, rare disease, vaccines, and respiratory and immunology segments were all ahead of expectations, according to JPM.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Susan Disney Lord, board co-chair of Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, said the proposed measure offers hope by supporting “breakthrough immunology research that would change the future for millions of people.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
In recent years there have been expansion and strengthening in new fields; biologic membranes, immunology, genetics, and cell regulatory mechanisms are currently booming.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
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