immunization

noun

im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion ˌi-myə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce immunization (audio)
 also  i-ˌmyü-nə-
plural immunizations
: the act of making someone or something immune or the state of being immune : the act or result of immunizing someone or something: such as
a
: the production of immunity in a living organism against a disease or pathogenic agent
The plasmids used for immunization have been altered to carry genes specifying one or more antigenic proteins normally made by a selected pathogen …David B. Weiner et al.
also : treatment (as by vaccination) for the purpose of making an organism immune to a disease or pathogenic agent : the administration of an immune-producing substance
Measles is the single most infectious common disease—one person with measles who blunders into a crowded room will give it to almost everyone. If there were no immunization, measles would be universal. Wayne Biddle
Those benefits can include preventive care, such as annual physicals, immunizations, and well-baby visits. Consumer Reports
b
: the providing of protection or exemption from something harmful or unwanted (such as legal action)
immunization from liability
The Interior Department is negotiating with other private landowners to extend similar immunization from prosecution to those who agree to avoid activities that might hurt the bird's chances of survival.Ken Miller

Examples of immunization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nine of 10 unvaccinated people in close contact with a measles patient will become infected, according to the C.D.C. Measles is far less deadly in countries with high immunization rates and good medical care. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 In Matthew Ferrari’s terms, a dropping immunization rate means the piles of firewood are getting bigger. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 About 94% of seventh graders in Florida completed the mandatory vaccinations needed for school, including the MMR vaccine, for the 2021-2022 school year, according to the most recent school immunization report available online through the Florida Department of Health. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Officials in Philadelphia say their large outbreak could also have been avoided by an immunization before travel. Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2024 In fact, the post accurately notes that mercury is no longer found in routine childhood immunizations. Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024 In 2022, federal authorities sentenced a homeopath in California to nearly three years in prison for selling bogus COVID-19 immunization pellets and for falsifying COVID-19 vaccination records. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 18 Jan. 2024 People who were at risk were asked to review their immunization records, contact their health provider and monitor themselves for illness. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 That western Upper Peninsula county has the state's highest rate of school vaccine waivers, with 18.9% foregoing a required immunization. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immunization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunization was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near immunization

Cite this Entry

“Immunization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunization. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

immunization

noun
im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion
ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən
: treatment (as with a vaccine) to produce immunity to a disease

Medical Definition

immunization

noun
im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion
variants also British immunisation
: the creation of immunity usually against a particular disease
especially : treatment (as by vaccination) of an organism for the purpose of making it immune to a particular pathogen
immunization against polio

More from Merriam-Webster on immunization

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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