in·activate \(ˈ)in, ən+\transitive verb Etymology:inactive + -ate : to make inactive: as a. (1): to destroy certain biological activities of < inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat > — compare reactivate (2): to cause (as an infective agent) to lose disease-producing capacity < inactivate bacteria > b.: to remove (a unit) from the active list of a military service without disbanding • in·activation\(ˌ)in, ən+\noun