inoculate Definition
- 1to give a person or an animal a small amount of a virus, bacteria, or other microorganism that has been weakened or killed, in order to prevent infection by the disease caused by that organism
- 2to protect against harmful influences or ideas by introducing a mild form of them
Using inoculate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "inoculate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The children were inoculated against measles.
Example
The vaccine is used to inoculate people against the flu.
Example
She tried to inoculate her children against the dangers of drugs.
Example
The company was inoculated against the economic downturn by diversifying its products.
inoculate Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using inoculate
to protect someone against harmful influences or ideas by introducing a mild form of them
Example
She inoculated her children against the dangers of drugs by talking to them about the risks.
to give someone a vaccine or a small amount of a disease in order to prevent them from getting it
Example
The doctor inoculated me with the flu vaccine.
to introduce a substance into something else, especially a living organism
Example
The researchers inoculated the virus into the mice to study its effects.
Phrases with inoculate
to give someone a vaccine or a small amount of a disease in order to prevent them from getting it
Example
The doctor inoculated me with the flu vaccine.
to protect someone against harmful influences or ideas by introducing a mild form of them
Example
She inoculated her children against the dangers of drugs by talking to them about the risks.
to introduce a substance into something else, especially a living organism
Example
The researchers inoculated the virus into the mice to study its effects.
Origins of inoculate
from Latin 'inoculare', meaning 'to graft'
Summary: inoculate in Brief
'Inoculate' [ɪˈnɒkjʊleɪt] means to give a small amount of a virus, bacteria, or other microorganism to prevent infection or to protect against harmful influences or ideas. Examples include 'The children were inoculated against measles.' and 'She tried to inoculate her children against the dangers of drugs.' The phrase 'inoculate someone with something' refers to giving a vaccine or a small amount of a disease, while 'inoculate someone against something' means to protect against harmful influences or ideas.