Main Entry: in·oc·u·la·tion

Pronunciation: \in-ˌäk-yə-ˈlā-shən\

Function: noun

1 : the act or process or an instance of inoculating: as a : the introduction of a microorganism into a medium suitable for its growth b (1) : the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies (2) : the introduction of a vaccine or serum into a living organism to confer immunity <travelers in the tropics should have typhoid inoculations>
2 : inoculum