inoculation

noun

in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion i-ˌnä-kyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inoculation (audio)
1
: the act or process or an instance of inoculating
especially : the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies
2

Examples of inoculation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The law extended key tax credits that further lower the cost of insurance for millions of Americans, while allowing older Americans to receive the shingles vaccine and other key inoculations free starting this year. Tony Romm, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Aug. 2023 Van der Linden wanted to build on McGuire’s theories and test the idea of psychological inoculation in the real world. Grace Browne, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2023 That followed an initial hiccup when use of the vaccine was suspended after dozens of pigs died last summer following inoculations in farms that used the vaccine off-label, USDA said, administering it to hogs that were not supposed to be inoculated, such as pregnant sows. Reuters, CNN, 7 June 2023 Some Republican state legislators, such as in Wisconsin and Georgia, introduced measures aimed at easing mandates to receive standard inoculations for elementary school students, such as the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, The Post reported. Anumita Kaur, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Mar. 2023 The doctor, inspired by a vision of the wholesale eradication of smallpox, published treatises to popularize his methods and campaigned to extend smallpox inoculation to the poor. Lucy Ward, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 Millions of infants in Africa and Asia receive the inoculation each year. Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2023 The Biden administration, after months of delay, has now addressed at least a shortfall in funding, hurrying to issue the first major grants from a $5 billion program to expedite a new class of more potent and durable inoculations. Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 26 June 2023 Catherine used the power of her own example to encourage inoculation across her empire. Lucy Ward, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inoculation.' 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

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inoculation was in 1714

Dictionary Entries Near inoculation

Cite this Entry

“Inoculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoculation. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

inoculation

noun
in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion in-ˌäk-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inoculation (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of inoculating
2
: material used in inoculating

Medical Definition

inoculation

noun
in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion in-ˌäk-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce inoculation (audio)
1
: the act or process or an instance of inoculating: as
a
: the introduction of a microorganism into a medium suitable for its growth
b(1)
: the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies
(2)
: the introduction of a vaccine or serum into a living organism to confer immunity
travelers in the tropics should have typhoid inoculations
2

More from Merriam-Webster on inoculation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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