immunology

American  

[im-yuh-nol-uh-jee] / ˌɪm jəˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the branch of science dealing with the components of the immune system, immunity from disease, the immune response, and immunologic techniques of analysis.

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immunology British  

/ ˌɪmjʊˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˌɪmjʊnəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. the branch of biological science concerned with the study of immunity

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immunology Scientific  

/ ĭm′yə-nŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of the structure and function of the immune system.

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Other Word Forms

• immunologist
  noun
• immunologic
  adjective
• immunological
  adjective
• immunologically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of immunology

First recorded in 1905–10; immuno- + -logy

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

immunology

Solid growth in sales of drugs for cancer and neuroscience helped offset a decline in sales of immunology drugs caused by copycat competition for the psoriasis drug Stelara, said Chief Financial Officer Joseph Wolk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

J&J’s pharmaceutical business logged a 7.8% gain, driven by cancer drugs like Darzalex and Carvykti, as well as immunology treatments like Tremfya and neuroscience drugs like Spravato.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

If approved, half of the funding would go toward the creation of a new immunology and immunotherapy research institute affiliated with the University of California.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

Lilly’s chief financial officer, Lucas Montarce, told Barron’s in April that the company was focused on four main growth areas: oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and a final category encompassing cardiometabolic health and diabetes.

From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026

The problem of olfactory sensing shares some of the current puzzles and confusions of immunology, apart from the business of telling self from non-self.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas