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immunity
noun
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it 'immune to' or 'immune from'?
In most cases, if you are immune to something, it has no effect on you—for example, you might be immune to a disease or to criticism. If you are immune from something, it cannot reach you—for example, you might be immune from prosecution in a plea bargain.
What is the immune system?
The immune system is what protects your body from diseases and infections. It's the bodily system that produces the immune response to defend your body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues. The immune system includes various parts of the body including the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, special deposits of lymphoid tissue (such as those in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow), macrophages, lymphocytes including the B cells and T cells, and antibodies.
What is herd immunity?
The term herd immunity refers to a reduction in the likelihood of someone catching a specific infectious disease because a significant proportion of the people in that person's community are immune to it. If you are less likely to come in contact with an infectious person, you're less likely to get infected yourself. The people in a community can be immune to a particular disease especially through previous exposure or vaccination.
Examples of immunity in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immunity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing immunity
Dictionary Entries Near immunity
Cite this Entry
“Immunity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunity. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
immunity
nounMedical Definition
immunity
nounLegal Definition
immunity
nounNote: The Federal Tort Claims Act includes an additional requirement of acting in good faith for the discretionary immunity granted to the federal government.
Note: While the president's executive immunity is absolute, the immunity of other federal executive officials is qualified.
Note: For an action to be brought against a state or the federal government, sovereign immunity must be waived by the government.
Note: Transactional and use immunity are granted to preserve the constitutional protection against self-incrimination. The states grant either form of this immunity, while the federal government grants only use immunity. A witness with use immunity may still be prosecuted, but only based on evidence not gathered from the protected testimony.
called also discovery immunity
Latin immunitas, from immunis exempt from public service, exempt, from in- non- + -munis (from munia services)
More from Merriam-Webster on immunity
Nglish: Translation of immunity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of immunity for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about immunity
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