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
Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize medical equipment, and as of 2024, it was used by four facilities in Colorado.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Black people were sterilized in the 1960s at a much higher rate than white people, the study found.
—Essence, 13 Feb. 2025
Pick up the wearable Willow breast pump for $100 off, and wash, sterilize, and dry bottles with the on-sale Momcozy sterilizer.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
Researchers first treated and sterilized thin sections of fossil using a mixture of ultrapure water and ethanol.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sterilize
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Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Black people were sterilized in the 1960s at a much higher rate than white people, the study found.
—Essence, 13 Feb. 2025
Pick up the wearable Willow breast pump for $100 off, and wash, sterilize, and dry bottles with the on-sale Momcozy sterilizer.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
Researchers first treated and sterilized thin sections of fossil using a mixture of ultrapure water and ethanol.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sterilize
Articles Related to sterilize
Cite this Entry
“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterilize. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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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