inactivate

[ in-ak-tuh-veyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ac·ti·vat·ed, in·ac·ti·vat·ing.

1. to make inactive:

   The bomb was inactivated.

2. Immunology. to stop the activity of (certain biological substances).

inactivate

/ ɪnˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. tr to render inactive

Derived Forms

• inˌactiˈvation, noun

Other Words From

• in·acti·vation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inactivate¹

First recorded in 1905–10; inactive + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

In 1999, he and a group of scientists successfully developed China’s first inactivated hepatitis A vaccine.

From Fortune

Sinovac’s vaccine is based on inactivated vaccine technology that makes it a more affordable option than vaccines from companies like Pfizer and Moderna.

From Fortune

First, its inactivated virus technology means that its vaccine will likely be more accessible to lower- and middle-income countries.

From Fortune

Wang Junzhi, a member of the nation’s vaccine task force, told journalists on December 4 that the doses of inactivated vaccines will be ready for launch before the end of the year.

From MIT Technology Review

Vaccine makers have typically used the virus itself or a fragment of the virus, often in a weakened or inactivated form, to inoculate recipients.

From Vox

Extracts in which no attempt was made to inactivate the enzymes present proved unsatisfactory.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjourn
• arrest
• bar
• cease
• defer
• discontinue
• eject
• exclude
• file
• halt
• interrupt
• postpone
• put off
• reject
• rule out
• shelve
• stay
• waive
• withhold