antimicrobial

American  

[an-tee-mahy-kroh-bee-uhl, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti maɪˈkroʊ bi əl, ˌæn taɪ- /

adjective

1. destructive to or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

   an antimicrobial spray to stop the spread of athlete’s foot in the locker room; antimicrobial ointments that suppress the cold sore virus.

---

noun

1. an antimicrobial product. Antimicrobials are generally regulated into two categories—those used on inanimate objects, as wipes for kitchen counters, and those used in or on living things, as antibiotics or hand sanitizers.

   Any product that kills bacteria or viruses is an antimicrobial, but that doesn’t mean any antimicrobial will kill both bacteria and viruses.

antimicrobial British  

/ ˌæntɪmaɪˈkrəʊbɪəl /

adjective

1. capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microbes

---

Etymology

Origin of antimicrobial

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + microbial

---

Compare meaning

How does antimicrobial compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• antimicrobial vs. antibacterial

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antimicrobial

Barber and Sil caution that resurrected antimicrobial peptides are unlikely to become new medicines anytime soon.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

"We're seeing the results of what worked and what didn't work. Looking at how traits are naturally produced and selected through evolution, you can get information that could be useful for designing new antimicrobial tools."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

A single mutation in the chain of amino acids, the protein "building blocks," was enough to make the antimicrobial peptide substantially more effective.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

Brooks Brothers, for instance, describes its Supima cotton T-shirts as finished “to resist odors” without specifying the antimicrobial used.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

They supported Selman Waksman, a Rutgers biochemist whose lab screened soil for antimicrobial substances.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---