Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

disinfection

American  
[dis-in-fek-shuhn] / ˌdɪs ɪnˈfɛk ʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of cleansing or purifying a room, wound, item of clothing, etc., of germs that cause disease.

    After disinfection is complete, the treated water is reintroduced back into the river to support aquatic life, recreation, and downstream drinking water supplies.

Etymology

Origin of disinfection

disinfect + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed for two weeks as officials carry out disinfection work.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Many vets recommend that a dog that tests positive for the illness should be put down, but there are also those who say it can be managed by taking precautions around disinfection.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2025

But overall, the simulated results indicated that public surface disinfection, mask wearing and the use of antimicrobial surfaces are effective interventions for controlling the spread of norovirus through surfaces.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2024

THM4 was the most abundant, and additionally, various unregulated disinfection byproducts were produced.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2024

Will not railroad companies resist a plan of regular disinfection because of its expensiveness?

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.