immunity
noun
im·mu·ni·ty
| \ i-ˈmyü-nə-tē
\
\
plural immunities
Definition of immunity
: the quality or state of being immune
especially
: a condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products
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Examples of immunity in a Sentence
They have developed immunity to the virus.
They have developed an immunity to the virus.
Recent Examples on the Web
There have been proposals to grant Netanyahu immunity while in office, which 30 percent of right-wing voters support. — Sam Sokol, sun-sentinel.com, "Majority of right-wing Israeli voters want Netanyahu to remain prime minister even if he’s indicted," 14 Aug. 2019 After a hearing earlier this year, Madison County Circuit Judge Donna Pate declined to grant immunity. — Ashley Remkus | Aremkus@al.com, al, "Alabama Supreme Court won’t hear Huntsville cop’s immunity claim in murder case," 9 Aug. 2019 Some predators lurk under the cover of Native American tribes, which claim that their sovereignty grants them immunity from state laws governing how much interest can be charged on the loan. — Ed Leefeldt, CBS News, "Home and auto scams top list of consumer complaints in 2018," 30 July 2019 Linehan’s testimony began with a surprising disclosure: that she had been granted immunity from prosecution to testify. — Adrian Walker, BostonGlobe.com, "As key Walsh aide testifies in corruption trial, clarity remains elusive," 30 July 2019 The others were all also convicted and received similarly commuted sentences, except for Kasabian, who served as the main prosecution witness and was granted immunity. — Alejandro De La Garza, Time, "The True Story Behind Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood," 26 July 2019 The filing also stated that the amendment grants Maryland and other states immunity from such lawsuits. — Doug Donovan, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland seeks dismissal of federal lawsuit by company blocked from building natural gas pipeline," 18 June 2019 An ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a bill in Israel’s parliament on Tuesday to grant lawmakers immunity from criminal prosecution, legislation that would help insulate the premier from corruption charges. — Felicia Schwartz, WSJ, "New Israeli Bill Would Give Netanyahu Immunity From Prosecution," 21 May 2019 During this week's individual immunity challenge, contestants had to stand on a wooden frame with a block perched between their heads and the top of the structure. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "'Survivor' Sparks Controversy for the Show's Reaction to Lauren O'Connell's Scary Fall," 4 Apr. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immunity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for immunity
immunity
noun
English Language Learners Definition of immunity
medical
: the power to keep yourself from being affected by a disease
: special protection from what is required for most people by law
See the full definition for immunity in the English Language Learners Dictionary
immunity
noun
im·mu·ni·ty
| \ i-ˈmyü-nə-tē
\
\
plural immunities
Kids Definition of immunity
1
: freedom from an obligation or penalty to which others are subject
immunity from punishment
2
: the power to resist infection whether natural or acquired (as by vaccination)
immunity
noun
im·mu·ni·ty
| \ im-ˈyü-nət-ē
\
\
plural immunities
Medical Definition of immunity
: the quality or state of being immune
especially
: a condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products — see acquired immunity, active immunity, natural immunity, passive immunity
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immunity
noun
im·mu·ni·ty
| \ i-ˈmyü-nə-tē
\
\
plural immunities
Legal Definition of immunity
1
: exemption from a duty or liability that is granted by law to a person or class of persons
a defendant may not take the stand in his own behalf and then claim immunity from cross-examination— W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
also
: the affirmative defense of having such an exemption
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absolute immunity
: immunity from all personal civil liability without limits or conditions (as a requirement of good faith) — compare qualified immunity in this entry
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charitable immunity
: immunity from civil liability especially for negligent torts that is granted to a charitable or nonprofit organization (as a hospital)
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constitutional immunity
: immunity (as from a tax) that is granted or created by a constitution (as the U.S. Constitution)
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corporate immunity
: immunity from personal liability for tortious acts that is granted to an officer of a corporation who acted in good faith and within the course of his or her duties — see also business judgment rule — compare pierce
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diplomatic immunity
: immunity (as from taxes or prosecution) granted to a diplomat
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discovery immunity
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discretionary immunity
: qualified immunity from civil liability for tortious acts or omissions that arise from a government employee's discretionary acts performed as part of the employee's duties — see also the Federal Tort Claims Act
Note: The Federal Tort Claims Act includes an additional requirement of acting in good faith for the discretionary immunity granted to the federal government.
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executive