bactericidal

[ bak-teer-uh-sahyd-l ]

adjective

, Pharmacology.

1. killing bacteria; capable of or used for killing bacteria:

   Silver is used in water filtration because it is known to be a solid bactericidal agent.

   Eventually the bactericidal action of the chemical sanitizer may be exhausted.

Other Words From

• bac·te·ri·cid·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bactericidal¹

First recorded in 1875–80; bacteri(um) ( def ) + -cidal ( def )

Related Words

• hygienic
• sterile