vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce vaccination (audio)
1
: the act of vaccinating
2
: the scar left by vaccinating

Examples of vaccination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The researchers compared three approaches to hepatitis B vaccination for babies born to moms who test negative for hepatitis B in pregnancy. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 State and local officials paired vaccination mandates with intensive, on-the-ground outreach in Hasidic Jewish and other communities where immunization rates were lowest. — Raj Panjabi, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026 Scientists and public health workers typically estimate current disease trends by using patterns from recent years, scaling changes against a few variables like birth rates and vaccination rates. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 In Tarrant County, the vaccination rate for the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine has dropped in the last year, from almost 94% of kindergartners vaccinated to almost 93% vaccinated. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vaccination

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "inoculation with fluid from cowpox pustules," from vaccine "of cowpox" (in the phrases vaccine matter, vaccine virus) + -ation — more at vaccine

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaccination was in 1891

Phrases Containing vaccination

Rhymes for vaccination

See All Rhymes for vaccination

Browse Nearby Words

vaccinate
vaccination
vaccine
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Cite this Entry

“Vaccination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaccination. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vaccination

noun
vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce vaccination (audio)
1
: the act of vaccinating
2
: the scar left by vaccinating

Medical Definition

vaccination

noun
vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce vaccination (audio)
1
: the introduction into humans or domestic animals of microorganisms that have previously been treated to make them harmless for the purpose of inducing the development of immunity
oral vaccination
vaccination against smallpox
vaccination for whooping cough
2
: the scar left by vaccinating
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