sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
| \ ˈster-ə-ˌlīz
\
\
sterilized;
sterilizing
Definition of sterilize
: to make sterile: such as
a
: to cause (land) to become unfruitful
b(1)
: to deprive of the power of reproducing
surgically sterilize cats and dogs
(2)
: to make incapable of germination
c
: to make powerless or useless usually by restraining from a normal function, relation, or participation
d
: to free from living microorganisms
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Other Words from sterilize
sterilization
\ ˌster-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
sterilizer
\ ˈster-ə-ˌlī-zər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of sterilize in a Sentence
The organization encourages people to sterilize their cats and dogs.
Recent Examples on the Web
But red dwarfs are harsh hosts, emitting frequent flares containing x-rays and ultraviolet radiation that could sterilize a planet, as well as energetic stellar winds that can strip it of its protective atmosphere. — Adam Mann, Scientific American, "Scientists Mull the Astrobiological Implications of an Airless Alien Planet," 19 Aug. 2019 The devices cannot be exposed to high heat to be sterilized, as many instruments are. — Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, "These Medical Devices Are Inserted Into 500,000 Patients Each Year — but Are Tough to Sterilize," 6 Aug. 2019 The exterior of the packages used to transport lunar soil samples at Ames were sterilized before the scientists opened them, and that was just the initial layer. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "Apollo 11 lunar samples were searched for signs of life," 16 July 2019 Cups will be washed and sterilized and returned to Starbucks for recirculation. — SFChronicle.com, "Shutterfly, Gentry being acquired; no strike at Kaiser after all," 10 June 2019 Washing hands, sanitizing everything, using disposable brushes and sterilizing our tweezers are a must. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "Will Eyelash Extensions Ruin Your Natural Lashes? We Investigate," 31 July 2019 That process can be used to distill and sterilize water and could also be used in power generation. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Mussels’ Sticky Threads Could Inspire Ways to Clean Up Oil Spills, Purify Water and More," 13 July 2019 After cleaning your hands and face, Dr. Shah recommends taking a straight pin and sterilizing the needle with a match or lighter. — Sara Radin, Teen Vogue, "How to Pop A Pimple Properly, Even Though You Really Shouldn't," 27 June 2019 Make sure the tattoo artist sterilizes the needles before using them on you, the Mayo Clinic recommends, and also check that all tattoo pigments and other equipment have not been used before. — Christina Oehler, Health.com, "Can You Get a Tattoo While You’re Pregnant? We Asked a Dermatologist," 26 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sterilize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for sterilize
sterilize
verb
English Language Learners Definition of sterilize
: to clean (something) by destroying germs or bacteria
: to make (someone or something) unable to produce children, young animals, etc.
See the full definition for sterilize in the English Language Learners Dictionary
sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
| \ ˈster-ə-ˌlīz
\
\
sterilized;
sterilizing
Kids Definition of sterilize
: to make sterile and especially free from germs
sterilize
transitive verb
ster·il·ize
variants:
also British sterilise \ ˈster-ə-ˌlīz
\
\
sterilized
also British sterilised;
sterilizing
also British sterilising
Medical Definition of sterilize
: to make sterile:
a
: to deprive of the power of reproducing
b
: to free from living microorganisms (as by the use of physical or chemical agents)
sterilize a surgical instrument
Other Words from sterilize
sterilization
\ ˌster-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
\
also British sterilisation \ -ˌlī-ˈ
\
noun
\
also British sterilisation \ -ˌlī-ˈ
\
noun
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