antimicrobial

American  

[an-tee-mahy-kroh-bee-uhl, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti maɪˈkroʊ bi əl, ˌæn taɪ- /

adjective

1. 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.

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noun

1. 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.

antimicrobial British  

/ ˌæntɪmaɪˈkrəʊbɪəl /

adjective

1. capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microbes

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Etymology

Origin of antimicrobial

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + microbial

Compare meaning

How does antimicrobial compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• antimicrobial vs. antibacterial

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antimicrobial

Rather than broadly attacking oral bacteria with antimicrobial treatments, the long term goal is to find ways to influence the balance of the microbial community itself.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

The oldest resurrected antimicrobial peptides were able to disrupt bacterial membranes, but the bacteria apparently repaired the damage and survived exposure to the peptides.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

Such clothing contains antimicrobial coatings to suppress odor-causing bacteria.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

They supported Selman Waksman, a Rutgers biochemist whose lab screened soil for antimicrobial substances.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

“But they’re antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and are cooling,” he says of some herbs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026