immunity

Everyday

1. (science) The body's ability to fight off a disease so that you do not catch it. tree →
2. (law) Protection from being punished or from a law: «diplomatic immunity». tree →
3. Freedom from something unpleasant. tree →

In the lessons

In science and health lessons it explains vaccines and how the immune system protects us after we have had some illnesses. In law and news, some people have immunity from being charged. In games it can mean being safe from being out. Phrases: build up immunity, immunity to a disease, diplomatic immunity, herd immunity.

Examples

• Vaccines help your body build immunity to diseases. tree →
• After chickenpox, most people have immunity for life. tree →
• Ambassadors have diplomatic immunity. tree →
• Washing hands and sleeping well support your immunity. tree →
• In the game, the person holding the ball has immunity. tree →
• Herd immunity happens when enough people are protected from a disease. tree →

Note

Plural: immunities (rare). Adjective: immune («immune to measles»). Verb: immunise / immunize (to give a vaccine). Immunity does not always last forever.