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antimicrobial

[ an-tee-mahy-kroh-bee-uhl, an-tahy‐ ]
/ ˌæn ti maɪˈkroʊ bi əl, ˌæn taɪ‐ /
Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.

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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Compare antibacterial.

Origin of antimicrobial

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + microbial

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. 2020

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Example sentences from the Web for antimicrobial

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.