passive immunity
noun
: short-acting immunity acquired by transfer of antibodies (as by injection of gamma globulin) compare active immunity
passive immunization noun
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some of the monoclonal antibodies made to give people passive immunity against the virus have also stopped working against the new variants. 
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 Again, this suggests vaccinated mothers could be giving their babies passive immunity against the virus. Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Finally, if vaccination fails, Segev recommends giving patients monoclonal antibodies as a form of passive immunity against COVID. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 9 Nov. 2021 Thus, for their first 6 months, babies are protected against the disease, and become vulnerable as that passive immunity wanes. Maryn Mckenna, Wired, 6 July 2021 Other vaccines cause such temporary passive immunity in infants, including the shot for measles. BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2021 Mothers typically pass antibodies to their newborns through the placenta during the last three months of pregnancy, which provides the baby with passive immunity. Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 22 Mar. 2021 But there is also the possibility the vaccine might even confer benefits to the breastfeeding child through passive immunity, according to the ABM. Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2020 Active immunity is more enduring than passive immunity. Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2020 See More
Brenda Goodman, CNN, 1 Sep. 2022 Again, this suggests vaccinated mothers could be giving their babies passive immunity against the virus. Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2022 Finally, if vaccination fails, Segev recommends giving patients monoclonal antibodies as a form of passive immunity against COVID. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 9 Nov. 2021 Thus, for their first 6 months, babies are protected against the disease, and become vulnerable as that passive immunity wanes. Maryn Mckenna, Wired, 6 July 2021 Other vaccines cause such temporary passive immunity in infants, including the shot for measles. BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2021 Mothers typically pass antibodies to their newborns through the placenta during the last three months of pregnancy, which provides the baby with passive immunity. Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 22 Mar. 2021 But there is also the possibility the vaccine might even confer benefits to the breastfeeding child through passive immunity, according to the ABM. Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2020 Active immunity is more enduring than passive immunity. Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
passive immunity
noun
: short-acting immunity acquired by transfer of antibodies (as by injection of gamma globulin) compare acquired immunity, active immunity, innate immunity