acquired immunity

noun

, Immunology.

1. immunity arising from exposure to antigens.

acquired immunity

noun

1. the immunity produced by exposure of an organism to antigens, which stimulates the production of antibodies

acquired immunity

1. Immunity that is not inherited. Acquired immunity can be active or passive.
2. ◆ Active immunity results from the development of antibodies in response to an antigen, as from exposure to an infectious disease or through vaccination.
3. ◆ Passive immunity results from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or by the injection of antiserum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquired immunity¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

These broadly reactive antibodies likely represent a common mechanism of acquired immunity to severe malaria and offer novel insights for the design of a PfEMP1-based vaccine or treatment targeting severe malaria.

From Science Daily

Even people with acquired immunity from Kraken were unable to mount an effective immune response.

From Salon

Fortunately, the current Omicron variant appears to be less virulent than the Delta variant, which surfaced in the summer of 2021, and more people have acquired immunity to the coronavirus by now.

From New York Times

The Chinese-made vaccines don’t appear to be as effective in thwarting disease as messenger-RNA ones used elsewhere and the country’s forceful control of infections results in little naturally acquired immunity.

From Washington Times

Each illness gives the virus ample opportunity to reproduce, allowing for mutations that give it new advantages against vaccines and acquired immunity.

From Salon