disinfect

verb

dis·​in·​fect ˌdis-in-ˈfekt How to pronounce disinfect (audio)
disinfected; disinfecting; disinfects

transitive verb

1
: to cleanse (a surface, a device, a supply of water, etc.) by destroying, inactivating, or significantly reducing the concentration of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) : to treat (something) with a disinfectant (such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite)
… medical experts say some scopes can be difficult to disinfect through conventional cleaning because of their design, so bacteria are transmitted from patient to patient.Chad Terhune
Trihalomethanes are chemicals formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with organic matter, such as animal waste, treated sewage, leaves, or soil.Emily Main
Clean your humidifier often. Although some parts may be washable in the dishwasher, they still need to be descaled with vinegar and disinfected with bleach.Consumer Reports
2
: to relieve (something) of some undesirable quality likened to a disease or infection
But the big question is this: If the bill becomes law, will it truly disinfect our politics?Nancy Gibbs and Karen Tumulty
3
: to remove a software virus (see virus sense 3) from (a computer or device) often by means of a special program
The earliest viruses were relatively simple routines, and virus detectors could easily disinfect computers.Philips Chien

Examples of disinfect in a Sentence

Chemicals were added to disinfect the water. The wound needs to be disinfected.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The virus can stay on surfaces and objects for several hours, and the CDC encourages people to clean and disinfect surfaces. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025 There’s always a risk that bacteria or pathogens are in the pot and reusing it without disinfecting first could potentially spread to your new plants. Lauren David, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025 Biosecurity measures include quarantining new animals, disinfecting equipment and vehicles, and restricting access to farms. Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2025 The best ways to prevent the virus from spreading: washing hands, cooking shellfish thoroughly, washing fruits and vegetables, cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces, washing laundry in hot water and staying home for two days after symptoms stop. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for disinfect 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desinfecter, from des- dis- + infecter to infect

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disinfect was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near disinfect

Cite this Entry

“Disinfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinfect. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

disinfect

verb
dis·​in·​fect ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfekt How to pronounce disinfect (audio)
: to cleanse of germs that might cause disease
disinfection noun

Medical Definition

disinfect

transitive verb
dis·​in·​fect ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfekt How to pronounce disinfect (audio)
: to destroy, inactivate, or significantly reduce the concentration of pathogenic agents (as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) especially on hard surfaces and in water : to treat (something) with a disinfectant (as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite)
disinfection noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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