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
The big picture: Childhood vaccinations have been stalling out globally, too, with 2.7 million more kids lacking immunization last year compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Kennedy's activism against vaccines, immunization and other public health measures like water fluoridation has raised concerns among medical experts and been broadly criticized by Democrats.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Yet prescribing such immunizations to every pregnant mother and child is not necessarily financially viable, especially for health care systems in low- and middle-income countries, where 97 percent of RSV fatalities occur.
—David Cox, WIRED, 18 Sep. 2024
In the 1700s, when smallpox was ravaging the colonies, some people were given an early form of immunization called variolation.
—Jon Lapook, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immunization 
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Andrew Keatts, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Kennedy's activism against vaccines, immunization and other public health measures like water fluoridation has raised concerns among medical experts and been broadly criticized by Democrats.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Yet prescribing such immunizations to every pregnant mother and child is not necessarily financially viable, especially for health care systems in low- and middle-income countries, where 97 percent of RSV fatalities occur.
—David Cox, WIRED, 18 Sep. 2024
In the 1700s, when smallpox was ravaging the colonies, some people were given an early form of immunization called variolation.
—Jon Lapook, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immunization
Dictionary Entries Near immunization
Cite this Entry
“Immunization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunization. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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immunization
noun
im·mu·ni·za·tion
variants
also British immunisation
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