immunization

[ im-yuh-nuh-zey-shuhn, ih-myoo- ]
See synonyms for immunization on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the fact or process of becoming immune, as against a disease.

  2. Finance. a method of protection against fluctuating bond interest rates by investing in securities having different yields and terms.

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Origin of immunization

1
First recorded in 1890–95; immunize + -ation

Other words from immunization

  • hy·per·im·mu·ni·za·tion, noun
  • non·im·mu·ni·za·tion, noun

Words Nearby immunization

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use immunization in a sentence

Scientific definitions for immunization

immunization

[ ĭm′yə-nĭ-zāshən ]


  1. The process of inducing immunity to an infectious organism or agent in an individual or animal through vaccination.

  2. A vaccination that induces immunity. A recommended schedule of immunizations for infants and young children includes vaccines against diphtheria, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella.

Other words from immunization

  • immunize verb

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for immunization

immunization

The process of inducing immunity, usually through inoculation or vaccination.

Notes for immunization

Frequently, schoolchildren are required by state law to be immunized against certain diseases. Because of such widespread immunization, many diseases that used to be fairly common, including smallpox, tetanus, and whooping cough, have become rare.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.