sanitizer

noun

san·​i·​tiz·​er ˈsa-nə-ˌtī-zər 

plural sanitizers

: a substance or product that is used to reduce or eliminate pathogenic agents (such as bacteria) on surfaces

Sales of alcohol-based hand sanitizers were up nearly 17% as of the first week of September compared to the same period last year …

—Laura Landro

"Carvacrol could potentially be used as a food sanitizer … particularly in conjunction with other antimicrobials," says Kelly Bright, associate research scientist in the department of soil, water, and environmental science at the University of Arizona.

—Daniel Stolt

also : a device used in sanitizing

This ozone-generating sanitizer looks like a miniature tanning bed for your manual toothbrush—and it emits ultraviolet light (UV) to kill 99.9 percent of brush germs.

—Malinda Govoni

Among the equipment that impressed him: … A wall-mounted food sanitizer that diverts water from the sink tap and charges it with ozone before dispensing it through the aerator for produce cleaning.

—Howard Riell

Examples of sanitizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gallo notes one example: constant hand sanitizer, even without significant germ exposure. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Fox said hand sanitizer was readily available at all fire evacuation sites and that all volunteers handling food must wear gloves. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

For added safety, always carry hand sanitizer and bottled water to stay hydrated and maintain hygiene during your adventures ashore. —David Nikel, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

To limit your risk of contracting the virus, the CDC recommends washing your hands — but cautions that hand sanitizer doesn’t work well against the virus. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above