inoculation

noun

in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion i-ˌnä-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process or an instance of inoculating

especially : the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies

2

: inoculum

Examples of inoculation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even just having vaccines spaced out is additional friction that will inevitably lead to fewer children receiving their inoculations. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

During the height of the 2025 outbreak, Kennedy somewhat pulled back from anti-vaccine messaging and encouraged inoculation against measles. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 30 July 2026

One of Kennedy’s earliest moves in office was to elevate the question of whether childhood inoculations can cause autism. — CNN Money, 16 July 2026

The game is based on the concept of psychological inoculation. — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inoculation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

inoculation

noun

in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion in-ˌäk-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of inoculating

2

: material used in inoculating

Medical Definition

inoculation

noun

in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion in-ˌäk-yə-ˈlā-shən 

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