vaccine
/væksɪn/ · vac·ci·ne
noun
- A preparation of killed or attenuated microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, used to produce immunity to a specific disease. The doctor administered a vaccine to the patient to protect against the flu.
noun
- A substance that is used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against a particular disease. The new vaccine showed promising results in clinical trials.
noun
- A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen, used to stimulate the body's immune system and provide protection against a specific disease. The vaccine was developed to combat the outbreak of a deadly virus.
Did you know? The first vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner in 1796, using a mild form of cowpox to protect against smallpox.