immunization

noun

im·​mu·​ni·​za·​tion ˌi-myə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

 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

The prospect of Kennedy leading the country’s health agencies has struck fear among public health experts, particularly due to his leading role in promoting vaccine skepticism and debunked claims about immunizations. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024

More parents are opting out of giving their children vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Over the last decade, the percentage of kindergartners who hadn’t received routine immunizations increased by 2 to 3 percent. —Keren Landman, Vox, 10 Dec. 2024

Kennedy could undermine grant programs that support state and local immunization programs, such as the CDC’s Section 317 Immunization Program, a reference to Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act. —Madison Czopek, Austin American-Statesman, 24 Nov. 2024

Polis previously supported parents’ ability to opt out of vaccinations — drawing support from anti-vaccine advocates — despite the state’s poor rankings for pediatric immunization. —Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

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

ˌim-yə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

: 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