Definitions

1. noun

A quantity of a pathogen, such as a bacterium, used as an antigen in the production of a vaccine.

“The research team used an inoculum of the virus to develop a vaccine against the deadly disease.”

2. noun

The initial amount or quantity of something, especially a substance or a cell culture, that is used as a starting point for growth or development.

“The seedling was grown from a small inoculum of soil that was rich in nutrients.”