Main Entry:

ster·il·ize

Pronunciation:

\ˈster-ə-ˌlīz\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ster·il·ized; ster·il·iz·ing

Date:

1695

: to make sterile: as a: to cause (land) to become unfruitful b (1): to deprive of the power of reproducing <surgically sterilize cats and dogs> (2): to make incapable of germination c: to make powerless or useless usually by restraining from a normal function, relation, or participation d: to free from living microorganisms

— ster·il·i·za·tion \ˌster-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

— ster·il·iz·er \ˈster-ə-ˌlī-zər\ noun