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 Word Forms

• bactericidally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bactericidal¹

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

Related Words

• hygienic 
• sterile