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.
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
Wayne Biddle Those benefits can include preventive care, such as annual physicals, immunizations, and well-baby visits. —Consumer Reports
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
Ken MillerExamples of immunization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For once, expectant parents were the ones starting conversations about immunizations.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024
Lawmakers want to reach into Arizona school classrooms with bills that would dictate curriculum, make certain immunizations optional and scrap letter grades used to rank schools' performance.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024
Free immunization clinic for flu shots A free immunization clinic for flu shots will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. March 16-18 at 2745 Otay Pacific Drive.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024
Raising suspicions According to his immunization history, the man got his first Covid vaccine in June 2021.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Michigan's case comes as infections are being reported in other parts of the U.S., and as immunization coverage has dropped.
—Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024
Nine of 10 unvaccinated people in close contact with a measles patient will become infected, according to the C.D.C.
Measles is far less deadly in countries with high immunization rates and good medical care.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
In Matthew Ferrari’s terms, a dropping immunization rate means the piles of firewood are getting bigger.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
About 94% of seventh graders in Florida completed the mandatory vaccinations needed for school, including the MMR vaccine, for the 2021-2022 school year, according to the most recent school immunization report available online through the Florida Department of Health.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 29 Mar. 2024
Lawmakers want to reach into Arizona school classrooms with bills that would dictate curriculum, make certain immunizations optional and scrap letter grades used to rank schools' performance.
—Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024
Free immunization clinic for flu shots A free immunization clinic for flu shots will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. March 16-18 at 2745 Otay Pacific Drive.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024
Raising suspicions According to his immunization history, the man got his first Covid vaccine in June 2021.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Michigan's case comes as infections are being reported in other parts of the U.S., and as immunization coverage has dropped.
—Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024
Nine of 10 unvaccinated people in close contact with a measles patient will become infected, according to the C.D.C.
Measles is far less deadly in countries with high immunization rates and good medical care.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
In Matthew Ferrari’s terms, a dropping immunization rate means the piles of firewood are getting bigger.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
About 94% of seventh graders in Florida completed the mandatory vaccinations needed for school, including the MMR vaccine, for the 2021-2022 school year, according to the most recent school immunization report available online through the Florida Department of Health.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immunization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near immunization
Cite this Entry
“Immunization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunization. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
immunization
noun
im·mu·ni·za·tion
variants
also British immunisation
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