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
Full immunization occurs two weeks after inoculation.
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
The affected data include childhood immunization rates against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis, chicken pox and flu; and rates for 13 year olds and expectant mothers.
—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Tetanus vaccination remains part of the routine childhood immunization schedule, with boosters recommended every 10 years and as needed following certain wounds.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
Similarly, the Nature study of people in Wales showed a stronger link between Zostavax immunization and lower dementia risk among women.
—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
But the concept that immunizations somehow are bad has been clearly disproven by life experience, because what's happening is people getting sick, in some cases dying, and the administration clearly has moved away from that.
—
CBS News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for immunization
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Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
Tetanus vaccination remains part of the routine childhood immunization schedule, with boosters recommended every 10 years and as needed following certain wounds.
—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
Similarly, the Nature study of people in Wales showed a stronger link between Zostavax immunization and lower dementia risk among women.
—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
28 June 2026
But the concept that immunizations somehow are bad has been clearly disproven by life experience, because what's happening is people getting sick, in some cases dying, and the administration clearly has moved away from that.
—
CBS News,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for immunization
Cite this Entry
“Immunization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunization. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
immunization
noun
im·mu·ni·za·tion
variants
also British immunisation
: the production of immunity in a living organism against a disease or pathogenic agent
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
immunization against polio
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