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

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Compare meaning

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

• antimicrobial vs. antibacterial

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antimicrobial

"The findings suggest that antimicrobial properties played a role as far back as the time of the early Neanderthals and could have been used in a targeted manner," explains Siemssen.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

A single mutation in the chain of amino acids, the protein "building blocks," was enough to make the antimicrobial peptide substantially more effective.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

By learning how antimicrobial peptides changed over millions of years, researchers may be able to create new approaches that make it harder for pathogens to develop resistance.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

Brooks Brothers, for instance, describes its Supima cotton T-shirts as finished “to resist odors” without specifying the antimicrobial used.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

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