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 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 Thanks to immunization mandates, even the most recent spike in cases — triggered by an unvaccinated visitor to Disneyland in 2019 — reached only 1,274 cases. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 But state health officials estimate about 3,500 pregnant people have gotten the vaccine as of Sunday, said Stephanie Schauer, immunization program coordinator at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Journal Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024 In Broward County, where six cases of measles have been reported over the past week, about 92% of children in kindergarten had received routine immunizations against measles, chickenpox, polio, and other diseases. Amy Maxmen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2024 The program has been shown to increase rates of prenatal care in low-income mothers and immunizations among their children, and for the last 25 years, there has been a bipartisan commitment to keeping it fully funded, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department, which oversees it. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2024 Scotland, for example, introduced routine immunization in schools in 2008, and close to 90% of students in their fourth year of secondary school (equivalent to 10th grade in the U.S.) in the 2022-2023 school year had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 25 Jan. 2024 That same software ultimately became key to Maryland’s pandemic response, when the state health department contracted with Tate’s organization to allow Marylanders to use it to schedule vaccine appointments and for health care providers to report immunization data to the state. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 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
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