vaccination

UK: ˌvæk.sɪˈneɪ.ʃən | US: ˌvæk.səˈneɪ.ʃən

Definition

  1. n. the act of administering a vaccine to stimulate immunity against a disease

  2. n. the process of inducing immunity by inoculation

Structure
vaccin <from *vaccinia* (cowpox)>ation <noun suffix indicating action or process>
Etymology

The word vaccination originates from the Latin vaccinus (pertaining to cows), derived from vacca (cow). This traces back to Edward Jenner’s 1796 use of cowpox (vaccinia) to inoculate against smallpox. The suffix -ation transforms the root into a noun denoting the process. The term reflects the historical link between cows and early immunization practices.

Examples

  1. Vaccination has eradicated diseases like smallpox globally.

  2. The doctor scheduled the child’s vaccination for next week.

  3. Public health campaigns promote vaccination to prevent outbreaks.

  4. Herd immunity relies on widespread vaccination coverage.

  5. Researchers developed a new vaccination strategy for the virus.