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

The inoculation is typically administered in two or three doses, depending on the age of the person receiving it. —Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024

Rapid mutations and imperfect inoculations mean that the virus is in charge, at least for now. —Abhijit V. Banerjee, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2022

Performing an inoculation on this scale had never been done before. —John Laycock, Baltimore Sun, 27 Dec. 2024

Flu shots can help prevent kids from getting sick, but the inoculations appear to be getting swept up in a broader wave of vaccine skepticism that took hold during the pandemic. —Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

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