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 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share