vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of vaccinating

2

: the scar left by vaccinating

Examples of vaccination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. —Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026

Speak with a health care provider about vaccination or immune globulin for prevention if the exposure occurred less than seven days ago. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren. —Matt Brown, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026

Measles cases have increased in the United States as vaccination rates have fallen in recent years, allowing the highly contagious virus to spread in communities with lower immunization coverage. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing vaccination

• anti-vaccination

Rhymes for vaccination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of vaccinating

2

: the scar left by vaccinating

Medical Definition

vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

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