aseptic

adjective

asep·tic | \ (ˌ)ā-ˈsep-tik

, ə-\

Definition of aseptic

1a : preventing infection aseptic techniques

b : free or freed from pathogenic microorganisms an aseptic operating room

2 : lacking vitality, emotion, or warmth aseptic essays

Other Words from aseptic Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about aseptic

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Things cleaned specifically in a way that prevents infection were first described as aseptic in the 19th century. The word combines the prefix a-, meaning "not," and septic, from Greek sēptikos, meaning "putrifying." Aseptic was preceded by more than a century by antiseptic (from anti-, meaning "opposing," and sēptikos), which entered English with the meaning "opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay." Both words can also be used, like sterile, to suggest a lack of emotion, warmth, or interest. Evelyn Toynton used aseptic thus in The New York Times Book Review, November 22, 1987: "It's hard not to feel that an element of romance has been lost, that the vast chilly reaches of outer space are a pretty aseptic substitute for the shadowy depths under the ground.…"

Examples of aseptic in a Sentence

patients with compromised immune systems must be treated in aseptic environments

Recent Examples on the Web

The city currently accepts items including: All cardboard products, cereal boxes, corrugated boxes, paper towel rolls, egg cartons, milk and juice cartons, aseptic containers (soy, wine, etc.). — Roy Kent, Houston Chronicle, "West University Place seeks new recycling option for residents," 6 June 2019 So as not to disturb the airflow, employees in aseptic spaces move slowly and deliberately, their arms raised as if in an act of surrender. — Erika Fry, Fortune, "Critical Condition: Inside Pfizer’s Drug Supply Problem," 22 May 2018 By the 1950s, with the advent of antibiotics and improved aseptic practices, the medical establishment also believed that patient healthiness could be maintained regardless of room design. — Jeanne Kisacky, Smithsonian, "When Fresh Air Went Out of Fashion at Hospitals," 14 June 2017 In adulthood, mumps can cause severely swollen glands and testicles as well as aseptic meningitis, which produces such symptoms as fever, headache, stiff neck and vomiting. — Karen Weintraub, New York Times, "Should I Get Revaccinated as an Adult?," 27 Oct. 2017 Aseptic technique would include not reusing a syringe. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "Unsafe delivery of measles vaccine kills 15 children in South Sudan," 2 June 2017 By the 1950s, with the advent of antibiotics and improved aseptic practices, the medical establishment also believed that patient healthiness could be maintained regardless of room design. — Jeanne Kisacky, Smithsonian, "When Fresh Air Went Out of Fashion at Hospitals," 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aseptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for aseptic

aseptic

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of aseptic

medical : free from germs that cause disease

See the full definition for aseptic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

aseptic

adjective

asep·tic | \ -ˈsep-tik

Medical Definition of aseptic

1 : preventing or not involving infection aseptic techniques

2 : free or freed from pathogenic microorganisms an aseptic wound an aseptic operating room

Keep scrolling for more

aseptic

Definition of aseptic

Other Words from aseptic

Synonyms & Antonyms for aseptic

Did You Know?

Examples of aseptic in a Sentence

First Known Use of aseptic

History and Etymology for aseptic

English Language Learners Definition of aseptic

Medical Definition of aseptic

aseptic

Definition of aseptic

Other Words from aseptic

Synonyms & Antonyms for aseptic

Did You Know?

Examples of aseptic in a Sentence

First Known Use of aseptic

History and Etymology for aseptic

English Language Learners Definition of aseptic

Medical Definition of aseptic

WORD OF THE DAY