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antimicrobial
[ an-tee-mahy-kroh-bee-uhl, an-tahy‐ ]
/ ˌæn ti maɪˈkroʊ bi əl, ˌæn taɪ‐ /
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adjective
destructive to or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi: an antimicrobial spray to stop the spread of athlete’s foot in the locker room; antimicrobial ointments that suppress the cold sore virus.
noun
an antimicrobial product. Antimicrobials are generally regulated into two categories—those used on inanimate objects, as wipes for kitchen counters, and those used in or on living things, as antibiotics or hand sanitizers: Any product that kills bacteria or viruses is an antimicrobial, but that doesn’t mean any antimicrobial will kill both bacteria and viruses.
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Words nearby antimicrobial
antimatter, antimension, antimere, antimeridian, antimetabolite, antimicrobial, antimilitant, antimissile, antimissile missile, antimitotic, antimonarchist
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use antimicrobial in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for antimicrobial
antimicrobial
/ (ˌæntɪmaɪˈkrəʊbɪəl) /
adjective
capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microbes
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 antimicrobial
antimicrobial
[ ăn′tē-mī-krō′bē-əl, ăn′tī- ]
adj.
Tending to destroy microbes, prevent their development, or inhibit their pathogenic action.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.