sonicate

verb

son·​i·​cate ˈsä-nə-ˌkāt How to pronounce sonicate (audio)
sonicated; sonicating

transitive verb

: to disrupt (something) by exposure to high-frequency sound waves
sonicate bacterial cells
sonication noun

Word History

Etymology

sonic + -ate entry 4

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sonicate was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near sonicate

Cite this Entry

“Sonicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sonicate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

sonicate

1 of 2 transitive verb
son·​i·​cate ˈsän-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce sonicate (audio)
sonicated; sonicating
: to disrupt (as bacterial cells) by exposure to high-frequency sound waves
sonication noun

sonicate

2 of 2 noun
son·​i·​cate -kət How to pronounce sonicate (audio)
: a product of sonication
a bacterial sonicate
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