1
: the act of vaccinating
2
: the scar left by vaccinating

Examples of vaccination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mothers are given a lot of advice about vaccinations during pregnancy and in their baby’s first year, but grandparents may not have those same kind of check-ins with their doctors. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2026 Union’s clinics also are offering vaccinations for infants earlier than normally scheduled, as health experts advise in areas experiencing measles outbreaks. — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026 Health officials urged residents not to touch bats, especially those that appear sick or dead, and to keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations current. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026 The boom in vaccine-preventable outbreaks, cases, and tragic deaths is being fueled by slipping vaccination rates nationwide as health misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiments have taken hold. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vaccination

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaccination was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vaccination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaccination. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

vaccination

noun
1
: the act of vaccinating
2
: the scar left by vaccinating

Medical Definition

vaccination

noun
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster