immunization

noun

im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion ˌi-myə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce immunization (audio)
 also  i-ˌmyü-nə-
plural immunizations
: the act of making someone or something immune or the state of being immune : the act or result of immunizing someone or something: such as
a
: the production of immunity in a living organism against a disease or pathogenic agent
The plasmids used for immunization have been altered to carry genes specifying one or more antigenic proteins normally made by a selected pathogen …David B. Weiner et al.
also : treatment (as by vaccination) for the purpose of making an organism immune to a disease or pathogenic agent : the administration of an immune-producing substance
Measles is the single most infectious common disease—one person with measles who blunders into a crowded room will give it to almost everyone. If there were no immunization, measles would be universal. Wayne Biddle
Those benefits can include preventive care, such as annual physicals, immunizations, and well-baby visits. Consumer Reports
b
: the providing of protection or exemption from something harmful or unwanted (such as legal action)
immunization from liability
The Interior Department is negotiating with other private landowners to extend similar immunization from prosecution to those who agree to avoid activities that might hurt the bird's chances of survival.Ken Miller

Examples of immunization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Melissa McMasters, administrator of infectious disease and immunizations at the MCPHD, told ABC News the local county department was informed about the infected patient from the state Department of Health. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024 While national or state-level vaccination rates may be high, there may be pockets of low immunization that provide tinder for the measles virus, Dr. Omer said. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Routine immunizations are available at Miami's Health Services in Oxford, according to Alecia Lipton, university spokesperson. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 In South Florida, nearly 92% of public and private kindergarten students in Broward and about 92% of public and private kindergarten students in Miami-Dade met the immunization requirements, according to the report. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 An adult from Wayne County who had traveled internationally and had no record of measles immunization had the virus in February. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024 Earlier this month, the WHO's advisory group on immunizations grappled with how this data would apply to children and to adults who may be malnourished or face a different health profile than the one seen in high-income countries. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024 Then the state’s immunization director reminded doctors that a Tennessee law called the Mature Minor Doctrine didn’t require parental permission to vaccinate consenting adolescents 14 or older. Amy Maxmen, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 Kelce, whose girlfriend is pop star Taylor Swift, recently hosted Saturday Night Live and bombards the airwaves with television commercials for insurance and immunizations. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immunization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunization was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near immunization

Cite this Entry

“Immunization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunization. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

immunization

noun
im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion
ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən
: treatment (as with a vaccine) to produce immunity to a disease

Medical Definition

immunization

noun
im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion
variants also British immunisation
: the creation of immunity usually against a particular disease
especially : treatment (as by vaccination) of an organism for the purpose of making it immune to a particular pathogen
immunization against polio

More from Merriam-Webster on immunization

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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