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
Seed oils may sterilize you, but nicotine is a superfood.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
The missing ozone layer and magnetic field means ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is about 30% stronger than on Earth, sterilizing those dusty red rocks.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
Some were forcibly sterilized at hospitals and residential schools, a practice that continued after it was repealed in the 1970s and has been reported as recently as 2019.
—Bysadia Rafiquddin, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024
Once that substrate is mixed with water, it gets put into plastic bags, then each bag gets sterilized.
—Bon Appétit, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize 
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Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
The missing ozone layer and magnetic field means ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is about 30% stronger than on Earth, sterilizing those dusty red rocks.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024
Some were forcibly sterilized at hospitals and residential schools, a practice that continued after it was repealed in the 1970s and has been reported as recently as 2019.
—Bysadia Rafiquddin, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024
Once that substrate is mixed with water, it gets put into plastic bags, then each bag gets sterilized.
—Bon Appétit, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize
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Dictionary Entries Near sterilize
Cite this Entry
“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterilize. Accessed 21 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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