verb
inoculate
To introduce microorganisms into a culture medium or host.
The researcher inoculated the growth medium with bacteria.
Etymology
Latin inoculare meant to graft a bud into a plant. Microbiology transferred that idea of inserting living material so it can develop to introducing microorganisms into a medium or host.
More examples
- Use the prepared culture to inoculate the fresh broth.
- The laboratory inoculates each sample under controlled conditions.
- The experiment began by inoculating the host plants with the fungus.
Forms
inoculate · inoculates · inoculated · inoculating