ENGLISH
REFERENCE

immunity

n.
US //ˌɪmˈjunəti// UK //ɪmjˈuːnɪti// im·mu·ni·ty
  1. 1 medical resistance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    the ability of your body to protect itself from a specific disease or infection.

    the physiological state of being resistant to a specific pathogen or toxin, typically through the presence of antibodies or white blood cells.

    Example

    The vaccine helps your body build immunity against the flu.

    Example

    Natural immunity acquired after an initial infection often provides more robust long-term protection than certain first-generation synthetic vaccines.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'to' or 'against'.
  2. 2 legal protection (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    special protection that means you cannot be punished or sued by the law.

    an exemption from a legal obligation, penalty, or the jurisdiction of a court.

    Example

    The witness was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony.

    Example

    Diplomatic immunity prevents foreign representatives from being prosecuted under the host country's laws, though this privilege can be waived by their home state.

    Usage

    Commonly appears in the phrase 'sovereign immunity' or 'diplomatic immunity'.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 general resistance (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    the state of not being affected by something, like criticism or a bad habit.

    the quality of being unaffected or influenced by something external, such as social pressure or criticism.

    Example

    After years in politics, he had developed an immunity to public criticism.

    Example

    The CEO seemed to possess a strange immunity to the anxieties that plagued his subordinates during the merger.
Origin

From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immūnitās, in the legal sense; for the medical use see immunization. Equivalent to immune + -ity.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference