inactivate

verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˌ)i-ˈnak-tə-ˌvāt 

inactivated; inactivating; inactivates

transitive verb

: to make inactive

chemicals to inactivate viruses

inactivation

(ˌ)i-ˌnak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

Examples of inactivate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Several studies have shown that commercial pasteurization — using heat to treat milk — inactivates the virus, making milk that’s safe for consumption. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024

The good news: cooking legumes inactivates most lectins, Harvard notes. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

Additionally, in daughters who have two X chromosomes, there is evidence that genes in the X chromosome passed down from dad are silenced, or inactivated. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Pasteurization and proper cooking techniques inactivate the virus. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inactivate

verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

: to make inactive

inactivation

(ˌ)in-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

inactivate

transitive verb

in·​ac·​ti·​vate (ˈ)in-ˈak-tə-ˌvāt 

inactivated; inactivating

: to make inactive: as

a

: to destroy certain biological activities of

inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat

b

: to cause (as an infectious agent) to lose disease-producing capacity

inactivate bacteria

inactivation

(ˌ)in-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

noun

inactivator

-ˌvāt-ər 

noun