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.

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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

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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

It contains an antimicrobial peptide capable of damaging bacterial membranes, creating holes that can rupture the cells.

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

“But they’re antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and are cooling,” he says of some herbs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

The researchers then engineered the bean gum to contain protegrin, an antimicrobial peptide capable of killing harmful bacteria.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026