sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
ˈster-ə-ˌlīz 
sterilized; sterilizing
: to make (something or someone) sterile: such as
a
: to free from all viable microorganisms (as by the use of steam or dry heat)
sterilize surgical instruments in an autoclave
b(1)
: to deprive of the power of reproducing through surgery
sterilize cats and dogs
(2)
: to make incapable of germination
studied the effects of sterilizing wheat florets
c
: to cause (land) to become unfruitful
There, 1,100-degree pyroclastic flows had sterilized the land.—
Christine Colasurdo
Christine ColasurdoExamples of sterilize in a Sentence
The organization encourages people to sterilize their cats and dogs.
Recent Examples on the Web
An autoclave is a machine that exposes surgical supplies to hot steam under pressure to sterilize them.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
In 1976, the Des Moines Register published a story about an 18-year-old woman who was sterilized against her will while confined in a county home.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Militants have targeted anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan for decades, with some claiming vaccines are a Western conspiracy used to sterilize children.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024
The simplest way to sterilize the bugs is to use radiation.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize 
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Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
In 1976, the Des Moines Register published a story about an 18-year-old woman who was sterilized against her will while confined in a county home.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Militants have targeted anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan for decades, with some claiming vaccines are a Western conspiracy used to sterilize children.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024
The simplest way to sterilize the bugs is to use radiation.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize
Articles Related to sterilize
Dictionary Entries Near sterilize
Cite this Entry
“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterilize. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
ˈster-ə-ˌlīz
sterilized; sterilizing
: to make sterile: as
a
: to deprive of the power of reproduction
had their cat sterilized
b
: to free of microscopic living things and especially germs (as bacteria)
sterilize the dental instruments
Medical Definition
sterilize
transitive verb
ster·il·ize
variants
also British sterilise
sterilized also British sterilised; sterilizing also British sterilising
: to make sterile:
a
: to deprive of the power of reproducing
b
: to free from living microorganisms (as by the use of physical or chemical agents)
sterilize a surgical instrument
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