vaccinate

verb

vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce vaccinate (audio)
vaccinated; vaccinating

transitive verb

: to administer a vaccine to usually by injection

intransitive verb

: to perform or practice vaccination
vaccinator
ˈvak-sə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce vaccinate (audio)
noun

Examples of vaccinate in a Sentence

We vaccinate all the animals that come to our shelter.
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.
Instead of running from vaccines, Abraham should have declared an emergency and done everything possible to get young children in Louisiana vaccinated as soon as possible. — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025 Boosters are recommended for those vaccinated before 1968 who may have received less effective versions of the vaccine. — Anna Spiegel, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 Getting vaccinated with two doses of the highly effective MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles infection. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 Just two cases have occurred in people fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vaccinate

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "to inoculate with fluid from a cowpox pustule," back-formation from vaccination; in later extended sense, in part borrowed from French vacciner, verbal derivative of vaccin vaccine

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of vaccinate was in 1882

Browse Nearby Words

vaccinal
vaccinate
vaccination
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vaccinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaccinate. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

vaccinate

verb
vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce vaccinate (audio)
vaccinated; vaccinating
: to give a vaccine to usually by injection
vaccinator
-ˌnāt-ər How to pronounce vaccinate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

vaccinate

1 of 2 verb
vac·​ci·​nate ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt How to pronounce vaccinate (audio)
vaccinated; vaccinating

transitive verb

1
: to inoculate (a person) with cowpox virus in order to produce immunity to smallpox
2
: to administer a vaccine to usually by injection

intransitive verb

: to perform or practice vaccination

More from Merriam-Webster on vaccinate

Nglish: Translation of vaccinate for Spanish Speakers

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