immunize
verb
im·mu·nize
ˈi-myə-ˌnīz 
immunized; immunizing; immunizes
: to make (someone or something) immune to something : to provide with protection against or immunity from something
Budding novelists immunize themselves against rejection by recalling rebuffs endured by even the most successful novelists …—
Edwin McDowell
: such as
Edwin McDowell
a
: to exempt from liability
… the investigation has been slowed by the refusal of seven former and current Hughes officials to cooperate unless immunized from prosecution.—Andy Pasztor and Rick Wartzman
Andy Pasztor and Rick Wartzman
b
: to make (a living organism) immune or resistant to a disease or pathogenic agent especially by inoculation : to create immunity in (as with a vaccine)
Measles can be almost completely controlled when adequate numbers of people within a population are immunized.—Scientific American Medicine
Scientific American Medicine… immunizing as many citizens as possible before an outbreak makes sense …—Shannon Brownlee
Shannon BrownleeExamples of immunize in a Sentence
Many people had to be immunized after being exposed to the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web
With measles surging, with flu and respiratory season upon us, and with holiday travel leading to more exposures for babies too young to be immunized who rely on their community to protect them, families deserve clarity.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
On Friday, the panel suggested a shift in the schedule, recommending parents wait at least two months to immunize babies who have a low risk of contracting the virus.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Once a vaccine was introduced, most students chose to get immunized, and the spread of the disease slowed.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 18 Nov. 2025
The sole treatment for the infection is BabyBIG, an IV medication made from blood plasma of people immunized against botulism.
—Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immunize
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Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
On Friday, the panel suggested a shift in the schedule, recommending parents wait at least two months to immunize babies who have a low risk of contracting the virus.
—Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Once a vaccine was introduced, most students chose to get immunized, and the spread of the disease slowed.
—Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 18 Nov. 2025
The sole treatment for the infection is BabyBIG, an IV medication made from blood plasma of people immunized against botulism.
—Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for immunize
Cite this Entry
“Immunize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunize. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
immunize
verb
im·mu·nize
ˈim-yə-ˌnīz
immunized; immunizing
: to make immune
have been immunized against polio
Medical Definition
immunize
transitive verb
im·mu·nize
variants
also British immunise
immunized also British immunised; immunizing also British immunising
: to make immune
Legal Definition
immunize
transitive verb
im·mu·nize
ˈi-myə-ˌnīz
immunized; immunizing
: to grant immunity to
the ultimately ill-fated effort to immunize state judges from the burdens of the federal income tax—J. K. Owens
J. K. OwensLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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