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vaccinate
verb
vac·ci·nate
ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt
vaccinated; vaccinating
: to administer a vaccine to usually by injection
: to perform or practice vaccination
Examples of vaccinate in a Sentence
We vaccinate all the animals that come to our shelter.
Recent Examples on the Web
To understand the spread of AIV, the researchers analyzed domestic poultry and wild birds from different regions in Europe and Asia and separated them into two categories: vaccinated and unvaccinated.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
However, the researchers also found that countries where poultry are vaccinated against H5 bird flu—specifically China—saw a faster rate of viral evolution compared to those where poultry is not vaccinated.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Fauci, the face of the nation’s pandemic response, was criticized by Trump and his allies for efforts to refute Trump’s unsubstantiated claims about the virus and urging Americans to be vaccinated.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Still, this type of infection is more likely to affect people with weak immune systems or those who have not been vaccinated against the common germs that cause meningitis.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 18 Jan. 2025
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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
Dictionary Entries Near vaccinate
Cite this Entry
“Vaccinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaccinate. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
vaccinate
verb
vac·ci·nate
ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt
vaccinated; vaccinating
: to give a vaccine to usually by injection
Medical Definition
vaccinate
1 of 2 verb
vac·ci·nate
ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt
vaccinated; vaccinating
1
: to inoculate (a person) with cowpox virus in order to produce immunity to smallpox
2
: to administer a vaccine to usually by injection
: to perform or practice vaccination
vaccinate
2 of 2 noun
vac·ci·nate
ˈvak-sə-ˌnāt
-nət
: a vaccinated individual
More from Merriam-Webster on vaccinate
Nglish: Translation of vaccinate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of vaccinate for Arabic Speakers
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