antibacterial
adjective
an·ti·bac·te·ri·al
ˌan-tē-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 
ˌan-ˌtī-
ˌan-ˌtī-
: directed or effective against bacteria
antibacterial soap
an antibacterial drug
antibacterial
noun
In an effort to develop new antifungals, scientists are boning up on previous research on antibacterials.
—
Ellen Licking
Ellen Licking
Examples of antibacterial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each shoe is designed with a naturally antibacterial cork footbed for barefoot wear.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2024
This moisturizing serum is packed with ingredients like antibacterial aloe and nourishing sunflower seed oil that can support overall scalp health and rehydrate split ends.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2024
It’s based on a material called bioactive glass, which is made up of nanoparticles of glass mixed with metals, and has shown promise in strong, antibacterial dental fillings and bone implants.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024
Bacteria can shoot messages to human cells that tamp down antibacterial immune responses (opens a new tab).
—Quanta Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for antibacterial 
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2024
This moisturizing serum is packed with ingredients like antibacterial aloe and nourishing sunflower seed oil that can support overall scalp health and rehydrate split ends.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2024
It’s based on a material called bioactive glass, which is made up of nanoparticles of glass mixed with metals, and has shown promise in strong, antibacterial dental fillings and bone implants.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 18 Sep. 2024
Bacteria can shoot messages to human cells that tamp down antibacterial immune responses (opens a new tab).
—Quanta Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for antibacterial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antibacterial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near antibacterial
Cite this Entry
“Antibacterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibacterial. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
antibacterial
1 of 2 adjective
an·ti·bac·te·ri·al
ˌant-i-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl
ˌan-ˌtī-
ˌan-ˌtī-
: directed or effective against bacteria
antibacterial
2 of 2 noun
: an antibacterial agent
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