immune

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

adjective

im·mune i-ˈmyün

Synonyms of immune next

: not susceptible or responsive

immune to all pleas

especially : having a high degree of resistance to a disease

immune to diphtheria

: produced by, involved in, or concerned with immunity or an immune response

immune agglutinins

immune globulins

: having or producing antibodies or lymphocytes capable of reacting with a specific antigen

an immune serum

: marked by protection

some criminal leaders are immune from arrest

: free, exempt

immune from further taxation

immune 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 immune in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Supreme Court’s decision declaring presidents presumptively immune from prosecution for official acts and the return of Republican control of the Senate, and perhaps the House, mean there will be few, if any, checks on the power of the president. —

Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica, 6 Nov. 2024 Also, the live probiotics in regular yogurt may improve gut health, supporting digestion and the immune system.9 Downsides Plain yogurt is associated with many potential health benefits, but there are some downsides to consider. —

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 29 Oct. 2024 These immune infusions, sometimes called IV therapy, are said to administer active ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream. —

Lucy Binder, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2024 Where to Get Vitamin D Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function. —

Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for immune

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin immunis, from in- + munia services, obligations; akin to Latin munus service — more at mean

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler

The first known use of immune was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Immune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immune. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

immune

adjective

im·mune im-ˈyün

: exempt entry 1

immune from punishment

: not influenced by something

immune to persuasion

: having a high degree of resistance to an illness or disease

: containing or producing antibodies

Medical Definition

immune

1 of 2 adjective

im·mune im-ˈyün

: not susceptible or responsive

especially : having a high degree of resistance to a disease

immune to diphtheria

: having or producing antibodies or lymphocytes capable of reacting with a specific antigen

an immune serum

: produced by, involved in, or concerned with immunity or an immune response

immune agglutinins

immune

2 of 2 noun

: an immune individual

Legal Definition

immune

adjective

im·mune i-ˈmyün

: having immunity : exempt

Last Updated: 21 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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immune

adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Examples of immune in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near immune

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition