sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
ˈster-ə-ˌlīz 
sterilized; sterilizing
: to make (something or someone) sterile: such as
a
: to free from all viable microorganisms (as by the use of steam or dry heat)
sterilize surgical instruments in an autoclave
b(1)
: to deprive of the power of reproducing through surgery
sterilize cats and dogs
(2)
: to make incapable of germination
studied the effects of sterilizing wheat florets
c
: to cause (land) to become unfruitful
There, 1,100-degree pyroclastic flows had sterilized the land.—
Christine Colasurdo
Christine ColasurdoExamples of sterilize in a Sentence
The organization encourages people to sterilize their cats and dogs.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2018, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors formally apologized to all the women forcibly sterilized.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Jane says that catching the cats is next to impossible, before even getting to the question of sterilizing costs.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 3 Dec. 2024
The whole rack is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and sterilizing.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 30 Sep. 2024
Because the witch's green body paint was copper-based, and therefore toxic if absorbed into the bloodstream, Hamilton's burns had to be sterilized with acetone.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize 
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Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Jane says that catching the cats is next to impossible, before even getting to the question of sterilizing costs.
—Alana Semuels, TIME, 3 Dec. 2024
The whole rack is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and sterilizing.
—Sarah Bradley, Parents, 30 Sep. 2024
Because the witch's green body paint was copper-based, and therefore toxic if absorbed into the bloodstream, Hamilton's burns had to be sterilized with acetone.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize
Articles Related to sterilize
Dictionary Entries Near sterilize
Cite this Entry
“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterilize. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
ˈster-ə-ˌlīz
sterilized; sterilizing
: to make sterile: as
a
: to deprive of the power of reproduction
had their cat sterilized
b
: to free of microscopic living things and especially germs (as bacteria)
sterilize the dental instruments
Medical Definition
sterilize
transitive verb
ster·il·ize
variants
also British sterilise
sterilized also British sterilised; sterilizing also British sterilising
: 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
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