vaccinate

verb

vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt 

vaccinated; vaccinating

transitive verb

: to administer a vaccine to usually by injection

intransitive verb

: to perform or practice vaccination

vaccinator

ˈvak-sə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Examples of vaccinate in a Sentence

We vaccinate all the animals that come to our shelter.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2019, about 94% of Florida kindergarten students were vaccinated. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

The county health department recommends that people get vaccinated against measles to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Individuals who are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine also help protect others who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Getting vaccinated can reduce your risks of getting sick, needing emergency care or being hospitalized, the CDC said. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "to inoculate with fluid from a cowpox pustule," back-formation from vaccination; in later extended sense, in part borrowed from French vacciner, verbal derivative of vaccin vaccine

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

vaccinate

verb

vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt 

vaccinated; vaccinating

: to give a vaccine to usually by injection

vaccinator

-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

vaccinate

1 of 2 verb

vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt 

vaccinated; vaccinating

transitive verb

1

: to inoculate (a person) with cowpox virus in order to produce immunity to smallpox

2

: to administer a vaccine to usually by injection

intransitive verb

: to perform or practice vaccination

vaccinate

2 of 2 noun

vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt  -nət 

: a vaccinated individual