immunity
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.
Origin of immunity
1synonym study For immunity
Other words for immunity
Opposites for immunity
Other words from immunity
- hy·per·im·mu·ni·ty, noun
- non·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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use immunity in a sentence
First, Congress needs to enhance and expand immunities for responsible whistleblowers.
George W. Bush’s Puzzling WMD Coverup | Rick Santorum, Pete Hoekstra | October 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhite privilege is a set of advantages and immunities enjoyed by white people that are not common to people of other races.
This is the core of U.S. criminal justice: The plea bargain exchange of inculpatory perjury for immunities or reduced sentences.
But it has encouraged the Vatican to claim statehood—and the immunities from liability that attach to heads of state.
The twelve individuals who are trustees were possessed of all the franchises and immunities conferred by the charter.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster | Daniel Webster
The charter is a charter of privileges and immunities; and these are holden by the trustees expressly against the State for ever.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster | Daniel WebsterShe availed herself of all those immunities and privileges which the gods confer upon young women whom they endow with good looks.
A Hoosier Chronicle | Meredith NicholsonThe exercise or the abuse of these powers and immunities speedily brought the Templars into collision with the ecclesiastics.
The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple | Charles G. AddisonThe great scandal of the times was the immoral lives of the clergy, especially of the monks, and the immunities they enjoyed.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI | John Lord
British Dictionary definitions for immunity
/ (ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ) /
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
[ 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for immunity
The ability of the body to resist or fight off infection and disease.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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