sterilize
to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
to destroy the ability of (a person or animal) to reproduce by removing the sex organs or inhibiting their functions.
to make (land) barren or unproductive.
Informal. to delete or remove anything comprising or damaging from: to sterilize a government document before releasing it to the press.
Informal. to isolate or completely protect from unwanted, unauthorized, or unwholesome activities, attitudes, influences, etc.: You can't sterilize children against violence.
Origin of sterilize
1- Also especially British, ster·i·lise .
Other words from sterilize
- ster·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
- ster·i·liz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- ster·i·liz·er, noun
- pre·ster·i·lize, verb (used with object), pre·ster·i·lized, pre·ster·i·liz·ing.
- re·ster·i·lize, verb (used with object), re·ster·i·lized, re·ster·i·liz·ing.
- self-ster·i·lized, adjective
- un·ster·i·lized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sterilize in a sentence
He adds that Thackeray expressed a wish, which he allowed Cruikshank to sterilise, to print the ballad with illustrations.
George Cruikshank | W. H. ChessonThis nut should be immersed in boiling water for a few minutes previous to screwing on, in order to sterilise it.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique | John William Henry EyreSterilise the adjacent portion of the aluminium handle by passing it rapidly twice or thrice through the flame.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique | John William Henry EyreSterilise in the steamer at 100° C. for twenty minutes on each of five consecutive days.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique | John William Henry EyreSterilise in the steamer at 100° C. for twenty minutes on each of three consecutive days.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique | John William Henry Eyre
British Dictionary definitions for sterilize
sterilise
/ (ˈstɛrɪˌlaɪz) /
(tr) to render sterile; make infertile or barren
Derived forms of sterilize
- sterilizable or sterilisable, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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