immunize

[ im-yuh-nahyz, ih-myoo-nahyz ]
See synonyms for immunize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),im·mu·nized, im·mu·niz·ing.
  1. to make immune, or protected from a disease or the like: They are organizing a massive health campaign to immunize millions of children.George Washington's army immunized its soldiers against smallpox.

  2. to shield, exempt, or protect: There is no moral or legal basis for immunizing victorious nations from scrutiny over their actions in a war.

  1. Law. to grant (a witness) exemption from criminal prosecution, legal liability, or punishment on certain conditions: In exchange for her testimony, the court agreed to immunize the witness against prosecution for criminal activities committed during the relevant period.

Origin of immunize

1
First recorded in 1890–95; immune + -ize
  • Also especially British, im·mu·nise .

Other words from immunize

  • im·mu·niz·er, noun
  • hy·per·im·mu·nize, verb (used with object), hy·per·im·mu·nized, hy·per·im·mu·niz·ing.
  • o·ver·im·mu·nize, verb (used with object), o·ver·im·mu·nized, o·ver·im·mu·niz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for immunize

immunize

immunise

/ (ˈɪmjʊˌnaɪz) /


verb
  1. to make immune, esp by inoculation

Derived forms of immunize

  • immunization or immunisation, noun
  • immunizer or immuniser, noun

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