Meaning

(transitive, immunology) To introduce an antigenic substance or vaccine into something (e.g. the body) or someone, such as to produce immunity to a specific disease..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive, immunology) To introduce an antigenic substance or vaccine into something (e.g. the body) or someone, such as to produce immunity to a specific disease.
2. (transitive, by extension) To safeguard or protect something as if by inoculation.
3. (transitive) To add one substance to another.
4. (transitive) To graft by inserting buds.
5. (figurative, transitive) To introduce into the mind (used especially of harmful ideas or principles).
6. Synonym of inoculum.

Example Sentences

But you would not willingly thus give up the Cause; therefore endeavour to draw others into your Assistance, and venture to assert, that by the Account Dr. Nettleton gives, as also by the best Observation upon those who have been Inoculated in this City, scarcely a fourth part of them have had a true and genuine Small Pox.

The sense that it takes outrageous fortune to get inoculated echoes here in the Bay Area, where pharmacies have canceled flu-shot clinics, doctors turn away pleading patients and health officials are reduced to telling panicked callers that they should practice good personal hygiene.

The culture medium was inoculated with selenium to investigate the rate of uptake.

to inoculate the bud of one tree or plant into another

to inoculate a tree

And in Aprill figtreen inoculate

to inoculate someone with treason or infidelity

You ſhould not haue beleeu'd me, for vertue cannot ſo e[n]oculat our old ſtock, but vve ſhall reliſh of it, I loued you not.

Word Forms

• inoculates
• inoculating
• inoculated
• innoculate

Synonyms for inoculate

Related Words

When Should You Use Inoculate?

Use inoculate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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