antibacterial

adjective

an·​ti·​bac·​te·​ri·​al ˌan-tē-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl  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

Examples of antibacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If shaving, wash the area with antibacterial soap first, apply a protective gel, and shave carefully to avoid nicks and cuts that can lead to new lesions or infections. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Jan. 2025

The gorillas also eat three other plants that are utilized in local medicine, although the antibacterial properties of the tree bark itself may explain why gorillas here can harbor E. coli bacteria without any symptoms. —Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024

This benefit may be more useful for the food industry than for personal use at home, but rose extract’s antibacterial properties could lead to more beneficial uses in terms of diet and gut health. —William Truswell, Verywell Health, 26 Dec. 2024

For example, cedar wood is also a moth deterrent while peppermint works as an antibacterial agent. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

antibacterial

adjective

an·​ti·​bac·​te·​ri·​al

ˌant-ē-ˌbak-ˈtir-ē-əl,

ˌan-ˌtī-ˌbak-

: directed or effective against bacteria

antibacterial soap

Medical Definition

antibacterial

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​bac·​te·​ri·​al ˌant-i-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl  ˌan-ˌtī- 

: directed or effective against bacteria

antibacterial

2 of 2 noun

: an antibacterial agent