immunology

American  

[im-yuh-nol-uh-jee] / ˌɪm yəˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the branch of science dealing with the components of the immune system, immunity from disease, the immune response, and immunologic techniques of analysis.

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immunology British  

/ ˌɪmjʊˈnɒlədʒɪ, ˌɪmjʊnəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. the branch of biological science concerned with the study of immunity

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immunology Scientific  

/ ĭm′yə-nŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of the structure and function of the immune system.

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Other Word Forms

• immunologic adjective
• immunological adjective
• immunologically adverb
• immunologist noun

Etymology

Origin of immunology

First recorded in 1905–10; immuno- + -logy

Explanation

Immunology is the science of body systems that protect against infection. It's thanks to immunology that we're able to treat and prevent so many diseases today. Immunology is formed by adding the suffix -ology, or "science," to immune, or "exempt from a disease." Scientists and doctors who specialize in immunology study the way our immune systems function (and sometimes malfunction) as they work to defend us from viruses and bacteria. Immunologists are also instrumental in creating vaccines against new diseases and promising treatments like cancer immunotherapy, which boost the patient's own immune system.

Example Sentences

"This is a huge public health crisis in the making," said Covarrubias, who is also an assistant professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

Johnson & Johnson’s immunology bet is paying off as the drugmaker gears up to market an innovative new psoriasis pill and had stronger-than-expected performance of another drug.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“The microbiome is malleable and early in life is when it gets set up,” said Justin Sonnenburg, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University, who has led several studies on the infant microbiome.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

According to senior author Bali Pulendran, PhD, the Violetta L. Horton Professor II and professor of microbiology and immunology, the level of protection across so many respiratory threats exceeded expectations.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

The problem of olfactory sensing shares some of the current puzzles and confusions of immunology, apart from the business of telling self from non-self.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas