immunocompromised

adjective

im·​mu·​no·​com·​pro·​mised ˌi-myə-nō-ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīzd 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

variants or less commonly immuno-compromised or immune-compromised

i-ˈmyün-ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīzd 

: having the immune system impaired or weakened (as by drugs or illness)

immunocompromised patients

And fear of vaccines doesn't just potentially harm the children whose parents forgo vaccination but also other kids, as well as immunocompromised adults, by threatening the herd immunity that we rely on to protect the larger population.

—James Poniewozik

Raw shellfish eaters are vulnerable to hepatitis and mild-to-severe gastroenteritis. At greater risk, however, are those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or suffer from liver disease, chronic alcohol abuse, cancer, diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

—Eating Well

Only recently, the parasite has also been shown to cause illness in human beings, but at first it was believed to affect only immune-compromised patients.

—Melva Weber

Examples of immunocompromised in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There's the potential for a longer incubation period in immunocompromised people. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Symptoms Very young, old and immunocompromised people are at higher risk of a severe infection. — Eva Flowe july 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026

The risk is higher for pets, in particular young puppies and immunocompromised animals, according to PetMD. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

In fact, severe alcoholics may become immunocompromised. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + compromised

First Known Use

1974, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immunocompromised

• noninstitutionalized
• acclimatized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised

Kids Definition

immunocompromised

adjective

im·​mu·​no·​com·​pro·​mised ˌim-yə-nō-ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīzd 

im-ˌyü-nō-

: having a weakened immune system

Medical Definition

immunocompromised

adjective

im·​mu·​no·​com·​pro·​mised -ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīzd 

variants also immuno-compromised or immune-compromised

: having the immune system impaired or weakened (as by drugs or illness)

immunocompromised patients