sterilization

American  

[ster-uh-luh-zey-shuhn] / ˌstɛr ə ləˈzeɪ ʃən /

noun

• sterilizations
  plural

1. the act of sterilizing.

2. the condition of being sterilized.

3. the destruction of all living microorganisms, as pathogenic or saprophytic bacteria, vegetative forms, and spores.

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sterilization British  

/ ˌstɛrɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or procedure of sterilizing or making sterile

2. the state of being sterile; sterilized condition

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sterilization Scientific  

/ stĕr′ə-lĭ-zā′shən /

1. The procedure of destroying all microorganisms in or on a given environment, such as a surgical instrument, in order to prevent the spread of infection. This is usually done by using heat, radiation, or chemical agents.

2. Any of various surgical procedures intended to eliminate the capacity to reproduce in humans or animals.

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sterilization Cultural  

1. The removal of all microorganisms and other pathogens from an object or surface by treating it with chemicals or subjecting it to high heat or radiation. Sterilization also refers to procedures that result in infertility. Vasectomies and tubal ligations, in which the fallopian tubes of a woman are tied off, are examples of sterilization techniques.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsterilization
  noun
• resterilization
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• sterilizations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sterilization

First recorded in 1870–75; sterile + -ization

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sterilization sterilizations

Even rigorous sterilization cannot eliminate every hardy organism.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

Wolbachia occurs naturally in mosquitoes, and scientists found they could exploit it: if the male carries the bacteria but the female does not, or carries a different strain, sterilization occurs.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

The staffers were also early adopters of telemedicine; the deadly nature of the Ebola virus required intense sterilization of anything that came into contact with a patient.

From Slate ● May 14, 2026

When the time comes, these words from Ms. Antonetta will merit consideration: “Programs of euthanasia and sterilization don’t just live in the past, terrible but finished. Their aftershocks are terrible and here.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025

Meanwhile, each morning after putting Henrietta’s cells in culture, Mary started her days with the usual sterilization drill.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

By 1938 its more than 12,000 involuntary sterilizations accounted for nearly half of all those nationwide.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2025

And several past presidents supported voluntary and compulsory eugenic sterilizations at some point in their careers.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 24, 2023

Female sterilizations rose to 18 that month from just three in July 2021.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2022

Some patients who have been denied sterilizations have turned to therapists like Barbara DeBree, who has a private practice in Helena and writes letters to providers attesting that the patients have thought through their decisions.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2022

But Priddy was concerned that his attempts to achieve eugenic sterilizations would still be challenged by state and federal courts.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• castration
• infertility