inoculate

[ih-nok-yuh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

inoculated, inoculating 

1. to implant (a disease agent or antigen) in a person, animal, or plant to produce a disease for study or to stimulate disease resistance.

2. to affect or treat (a person, animal, or plant) in this manner.

3. to introduce (microorganisms) into surroundings suited to their growth, as a culture medium.

4. to imbue (a person), as with ideas.

   Synonyms: infuse, indoctrinate

5. Metallurgy.,  to treat (molten metal) chemically to strengthen the microstructure.

verb (used without object)

inoculated, inoculating 

1. to perform inoculation.

inoculate

/ ɪˈnɒkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to introduce (the causative agent of a disease) into the body of (a person or animal), in order to induce immunity

2. (tr) to introduce (microorganisms, esp bacteria) into (a culture medium)

3. (tr) to cause to be influenced or imbued, as with ideas or opinions

Other Word Forms

• inoculation noun
• inoculative adjective
• inoculator noun
• noninoculative adjective
• reinoculate verb
• self-inoculated adjective
• uninoculated adjective
• uninoculative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inoculate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin inoculātus, past participle of inoculāre “to graft by budding, implant,” equivalent to in- “in” + -oculā- (stem of -oculāre “to graft,” derivative of oculus “eye, bud”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of inoculate¹

C15: from Latin inoculāre to implant, from _in- ² + oculus eye, bud

Example Sentences

The government was determined not to budge, perhaps hopeful much of it was noise and their mountainous majority would inoculate them from a minority of grumblers.

From BBC

They’re upgraded preparations of vaccines that themselves underwent placebo-controlled trials, or formulations aimed at new variants of the targeted disease, or shots that inoculate against several diseases all at once.

From Los Angeles Times

Yoga instructor Judd likes to call attention to the area’s cowboy roots and remind participants that the site they’re on was once used to inoculate, disinfect and brand cattle.

From Los Angeles Times

So apparently putting Britain first – more spent on defence here, less spending overseas – will be seen by some as a way of inoculating themselves against the growing threat of Reform.

From BBC

Yoga instructor Rudd likes to call attention to the area’s cowboy roots and remind participants that the site they’re on was once used to inoculate, disinfect and brand cattle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inject 
• vaccinate 

When To Use

What’s the difference between inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize?

In the context of medicine, inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize are often used in overlapping ways, and for good reason—they all involve introducing a substance (especially a vaccine) into a person’s body with the goal of preventing them from getting a particular disease.Vaccinate is the most specific of the three terms, because it always involves introducing a vaccine, which usually consists of a small amount of a killed, weakened, or otherwise modified version of a disease (such as a virus or bacterium). While inoculate has other meanings outside the context of medicine, in modern healthcare it’s typically used interchangeably with vaccinate (though it’s used less commonly).Immunize is slightly different—it means to provide immunity from a specific disease. While the goal of vaccinating someone is often to immunize them, not all vaccines provide permanent immunity. Some vaccines provide what amounts to long-term immunity, while others only lead to a temporary protection, after which the body “forgets” how to make certain antibodies. In these cases, a booster shot or dose is often required, consisting of a follow-up vaccination to boost or renew the protection gained from the earlier vaccination.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize.