sterilize

American  

[ster-uh-lahyz] / ˈstɛr əˌlaɪz /

especially British, sterilise

verb (used with object)

sterilized, sterilizing

1. to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.

2. to destroy the ability of (a person or animal) to reproduce by removing the sexual organs or inhibiting their functions.

3. to make (land) barren or unproductive.

4. Informal. to delete or remove anything comprising or damaging from.

   to sterilize a government document before releasing it to the press.

5. Informal. to isolate or completely protect from unwanted, unauthorized, or unwholesome activities, attitudes, influences, etc..

   You can't sterilize children against violence.

---

sterilize British  

/ ˈstɛrɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to render sterile; make infertile or barren

---

Other Word Forms

• presterilize verb (used with object)
• resterilize verb (used with object)
• self-sterilized adjective
• sterilizability noun
• sterilizable adjective
• sterilizer noun
• unsterilized adjective

Etymology

Origin of sterilize

First recorded in 1685–95; sterile + -ize

Example Sentences

The rule from which they are seeking relief applies to a chemical known as ethylene oxide, or EtO, which is commonly used to sterilize medical devices that can’t be cleaned using steam or radiation.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025

I told her to try to sterilize the water, and she responded that she does not have enough cooking gas and cannot heat water more than once a day.

From Slate • Oct. 22, 2024

The simplest way to sterilize the bugs is to use radiation.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2024

Ultimately, it’s up to retailers to remove affected products from the case and sterilize equipment properly.

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2024

“First we will clean and sterilize the wound.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• castrate
• decontaminate
• disinfect
• neuter
• pasteurize
• sanitize
• spay