sterilize
/ˈstɛrɪlʌɪz
/(also sterilise)
verb [with object]
1Make (something) free from bacteria or other living microorganisms: babies' feeding equipment can be cleaned and sterilized (as adjective sterilized) sterilized jars...
- Always use commercial potting mixes in your containers as they are sterilized and disease free.
- Many variables must be considered, such as the original intended use or design of the device, its complexity and fragility, the ease of and methods for cleaning and sterilizing the product, and the number of times it is reprocessed.
- This chemical is used to make other chemicals and is also widely used in the health care industry to sterilize medical devices.
Synonyms
disinfect, purify, fumigate, decontaminate, sanitize;
pasteurize;
clean, cleanse
technical autoclave
rare depurate, depollute
2Deprive (a person or animal) of the ability to produce offspring, typically by removing or blocking the sex organs: she fell pregnant despite having been sterilized...
- The gynaecologist still did not feel that he would be acting in her best interests by sterilising her and decided to seek a second opinion about whether the operation was appropriate.
- After being anesthetized, she was sterilized without her knowledge.
- I have to please her, or she'll kill me or sterilize me or do something to keep me from breeding.
Synonyms
vasectomize, hysterectomize
rare ovariectomize, oophorectomize, eunuchize
castrate, geld, neuter, cut, caponize, emasculate;
spay;
North American & Australian alter
informal fix, doctor
2.1Make (land or water) unable to produce crops or support life: a Scandinavian lake has been sterilized by rain made acid...
- Countless lakes have been more or less sterilized by acid rain.
- Land along the proposed route has been essentially sterilised for the past two years and there still is no sign of a Compulsory Purchase Order.
- Black lava-like toxic sludge containing sixty poisonous chemicals choked and sterilized up to 100 miles of rivers and creeks and poisoned the drinking water in seventeen communities.
Derivatives
sterilizable
- Indeed these disposable plastic syringes are not really sterilisable.
- ‘One of the things that makes medical packaging unique,’ he says, ‘is that it must be sterilizable and must maintain sterility until the point of use.’
- They offer a line of laboratory brushes that are non-absorbent, noncorrosive, chemical resistant, sterilizable, and non-abrasive.
sterilizer
/ noun ...- The hospital had sterilizers, and packs were wrapped in cloth.
- Whether the double peel pouches or the pouches within wrapped goods can be sterilized depends on the sterilizer you are using.
- If the scrub person is removing sterilized items from the sterilizer, he or she should remember the following guidelines.