vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of vaccinating

2

: the scar left by vaccinating

Examples of vaccination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The nonprofit is centered around caring for children and adults with genetic disorders that are especially common among the Amish and broader Plain community, a group that also tends to have lower vaccination rates than average. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Officials say the public should not try to touch or move the rabies vaccination bait. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

The nation eliminated the domestic spread of measles in 2000 by maintaining high vaccination rates, but those rates have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

State health officials credited a massive surge in vaccinations with bringing the outbreak to a halt. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing vaccination

• anti-vaccination

Rhymes for vaccination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act of vaccinating

2

: the scar left by vaccinating

Medical Definition

vaccination

noun

vac·​ci·​na·​tion ˌvak-sə-ˈnā-shən 

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