inactivate

verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce inactivate (audio)
inactivated; inactivating; inactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive
chemicals to inactivate viruses
inactivation noun

Examples of inactivate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pasteurization and adequate cooking inactivates the virus. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Ahead of the presidential election, voter status will be restored to people inactivated who should still be eligible. April Rubin, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 The good news: cooking legumes inactivates most lectins, Harvard notes. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024 The influenza virus is readily inactivated by heat treatments. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inactivate 

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inactivate was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near inactivate

Cite this Entry

“Inactivate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inactivate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inactivate

verb
in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce inactivate (audio)
: to make inactive
inactivation noun

Medical Definition

inactivate

transitive verb
in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt How to pronounce inactivate (audio)
inactivated; inactivating
: to make inactive: as
a
: to destroy certain biological activities of
inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat
b
: to cause (as an infectious agent) to lose disease-producing capacity
inactivate bacteria
inactivation noun
inactivator noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!