vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce vaccination (audio)
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.
In the capital, posters are plastered with QR codes for people to look up the nearest spot for vaccination. Katie Silver, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026 Leila is up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 But in reality, the campaign was substantially funded through a $5 million overpayment for covid-19 vaccination services that her family's company had received from the state of Florida, according to investigators. Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026 The oldest approach to vaccination in use today includes either inactivated pathogens—such as those in most modern polio vaccines—or pathogens that remain viable but have been weakened enough not to trigger disease—such as those in the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

vaccination

noun
vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce vaccination (audio)
1
: the act of vaccinating
2
: the scar left by vaccinating

Medical Definition

vaccination

noun
vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce vaccination (audio)
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

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