sterilize
verb (used with object)
to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
had been sterilizing
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past perfect progressiveof sterilize.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
The hospital where the infections took place had been sterilizing the scopes, which it began using last June, according to the standards stipulated by Olympus, the center said in a statement.
From Reuters ● Feb. 19, 2015
