# inoculation

/ˌɪˌnɑkjəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪnˌɒkjʊlˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inoculation
Updated: 2026-10-14

## Definition

a shot or small treatment that helps your body fight a disease before you get sick. You get it to stay safe from infections like flu or measles.

For teachers: introduction of a vaccine, weakened pathogen, or antigen into the body to stimulate immunity against a specific disease. In laboratory use extends to introduction of microorganisms into a culture medium to start growth.

## Examples

- Inoculation protects children from serious diseases.
- The clinic offers free flu inoculation every autumn for elderly patients.
- Widespread childhood inoculation transformed public health in the twentieth century, turning once-feared diseases like polio into rare historical footnotes.

## Synonyms

vaccination, immunization, shot, jab

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.