inoculates; inoculated; inoculating
medical
: to give (a person or animal) a weakened form of a disease in order to prevent infection by the disease
—often + against
All the children have been inoculated against smallpox.
Cite this Entry
“Inoculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/inoculate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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