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

There was no sanitizer on wiping cloths at a prep area or in a dishwasher during the sanitizing cycle. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025

Now 32, the young man made his escape after setting a fire in his bedroom using a lighter, some hand sanitizer and paper. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Inspectors found 12 violations, two of which were high priorities for a sanitizer at the wrong strength and rodent activity. —Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

Use whatever form of protection gives you peace of mind, such as seat covers, toilet paper, or an eco-friendly sanitizer spray. 3. —Dana Solomon, Outside Online, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sanitizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer