vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of vaccinating

2

: the scar left by vaccinating

Examples of vaccination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People who have an allergy to any of the ingredients or who’ve had Guillain-Barré syndrome after flu vaccination in the past should not get the new vaccine. — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

The California Department of Public Health also says people age 65 and up, and those who are immunocompromised, should get a second COVID-19 vaccination six months after their first dose. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

At a time when global vaccination coverage remains fragile, exporting doubt about vaccines may be as consequential as exporting policy itself. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 13 Aug. 2026

Appointments for that and other vaccinations should be spaced out whenever possible, the order states. — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "inoculation with fluid from cowpox pustules," from vaccine "of cowpox" (in the phrases vaccine matter, vaccine virus) + -ation — more at vaccine

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vaccination

• anti-vaccination

Rhymes for vaccination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of vaccinating

2

: the scar left by vaccinating

Medical Definition

vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the introduction into humans or domestic animals of microorganisms that have previously been treated to make them harmless for the purpose of inducing the development of immunity

oral vaccination

vaccination against smallpox

vaccination for whooping cough

2

: the scar left by vaccinating