inoculation

noun

in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion i-ˌnä-kyə-ˈlā-shən 

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

: inoculum

Examples of inoculation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1954, the first mass inoculation of schoolchildren against polio using the Salk vaccine began in Pittsburgh as some 5,000 students were vaccinated. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

Now, with four years of inoculations and infections, the general population has a wide range of vulnerabilities. —Lisa Krieger, The Denver Post, 11 June 2024

Ars has reached out to the agency for clarity on the inoculation route in the latest study and will update the story with any additional information provided. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 June 2024

With low levels of inoculation and the questionable efficacy of Chinese vaccines, opening up will bring significant health consequences. —Jeremy Wallace, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inoculation

noun

in·​oc·​u·​la·​tion in-ˌäk-yə-ˈlā-shən 

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 

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

: inoculum