sterilization

American  

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

noun

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

• nonsterilization
  noun
• resterilization
  noun

Etymology

Origin of sterilization

First recorded in 1870–75; sterile + -ization

Example Sentences

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

Around him were additional signs of disrepair: an X-ray examination board without a functioning backlight, and a dust-covered ultraviolet sterilization machine that hadn’t worked in months.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

In females, several forms of sterilization were associated with longer lives, suggesting that the benefit comes from avoiding the intense physical demands of pregnancy, nursing, and reproductive cycling.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

China has become a major supplier of ingredients for small-molecule medications, coatings and sterilization agents for medical devices, and the chlorine and caustic soda used to keep water safe to drink.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Total, unequivocal sterilization is extremely difficult to achieve in practice and is almost impossible to verify afterward.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• castration
• infertility