Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

act of indemnity

Definition of act of indemnity

1 : an act passed to relieve persons (such as officials) from some penalty to which they have become liable by acting illegally or beyond the limits of their powers
2 : an act passed to provide compensation for damage incurred in the service of the government or resulting from some public measure

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of act of indemnity

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about act of indemnity

Statistics for act of indemnity

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for act of indemnity

The first known use of act of indemnity was in 1647

See more words from the same year

Comments on act of indemnity

What made you want to look up act of indemnity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

detritus

Listen to the pronounciation of detritus

miscellaneous remnants or debris

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

  • one green toy robot amidst many red toy robots
  • Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games