antibacterial

[ an-tee-bak-teer-ee-uhl, an-tahy- ]

/ ˌæn ti bækˈtɪər i əl, ˌæn taɪ- /

Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.

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See synonyms for antibacterial on Thesaurus.com

adjective

destructive to or inhibiting the growth of bacteria: a full line of antibacterial hand lotions, deodorants, and foot powders.

noun

an antibacterial product, as a hand or dish soap, a mouthwash, an aerosol cleaner, or an antibiotic: Sorry, but none of these antibacterials is going to kill your cold virus.

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Compare antimicrobial.

Origin of antibacterial

First recorded in 1895–1900; anti- + bacterial

Words nearby antibacterial

antiart, antiarthritic, antiatom, antiauxin, antibacchius, antibacterial, antiballistic, antiballistic missile, Antiballistic Missile Treaty, antibaryon, anti-basement membrane antibody

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use antibacterial in a sentence

The antibacterial fabric wicks moisture and contains multiple layers of elastic for a universally comfortable fit.
Compression socks to ease aches and support travel|PopSci Commerce Team|January 20, 2021|Popular-Science
It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, improves bone health and positively affects bladder, skin and bowel health.
Can the Rolls-Royce of Cannabis Reach the Masses?|Joshua Eferighe|January 13, 2021|Ozy
At the beginning of this year, AI researchers trained a neural network by feeding it data on 2,335 molecules known to have antibacterial properties.
AI has cracked a problem that stumped biologists for 50 years. It’s a huge deal.|Sigal Samuel|December 3, 2020|Vox
He and his team have spent years studying the effects of phytoncides, antibacterial and antimicrobial substances that trees and other plants release into the air to help them fight diseases and harmful organisms.
The Simple Dutch Cure for Stress - Facts So Romantic|Alice Fleerackers|October 26, 2020|Nautilus

LPS is often used to mimic severe bacterial infections in humans and widely used as a way to develop new antibacterial medication.
We Need New, Safer Ways to Treat Pain. Could Electroacupuncture Be One?|Shelly Fan|August 18, 2020|Singularity Hub
Antibacterial soap is supposed to help you stay clean and healthy, right?
Antibacterial Soap’s Deadly Secret|Kent Sepkowitz|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Xylitol Nasal Spray - xylitol is a sugar alcohol and has antibacterial properties.
These Are The 15 Supplements to Keep In Your Medicine Cabinet|Ari Meisel|December 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Faulty interpretation of some scientific research led to a widespread belief that wood has natural antibacterial properties.
The Dirty Truth About Cutting Boards|Chad Ward|September 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST
They climbed up the ladder and said nothing as the airlock went through its cycle and the antibacterial spray covered them.
The Judas Valley|Gerald Vance
It is entirely unjustifiable to credit the known antibacterial qualities of ordinary iodin to colloid iodin.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various
Hence the immunity may be antibacterial or antitoxic or both.
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology|Charles Bradfield Morrey

British Dictionary definitions for antibacterial

antibacterial

/ (ˌæntɪbækˈtɪərɪəl) /

adjective

effective against bacteria

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for antibacterial

antibacterial

[ ăn′tē-băk-tîr′ē-əl, ăn′tī- ]

adj.

Destroying or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Other words from antibacterial

an′ti•bac•te′ri•al n.

antibacterial

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Origin of antibacterial

Words nearby antibacterial

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How to use antibacterial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antibacterial

Medical definitions for antibacterial

Other words from antibacterial