antiseptic

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌan-tə-ˈsep-tik How to pronounce antiseptic (audio)
1
a
: opposing microbial infection
especially : preventing or inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms (such as bacteria) in or on living tissue (such as the skin or mucous membranes)
applied an antiseptic solution to the wound
antiseptic mouthwash
In general, the preparation of the skin with one or more antiseptic agents (e.g, alcohol, iodine tincture, an iodophor, or chlorhexidine gluconate) applied individually or sequentially in a concentric fashion to the venipuncture site should provide that proper satisfactory antisepsis … Calvin L. Strand et al.
b
: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptic substances
antiseptic treatment
2
a
: scrupulously clean : aseptic
antiseptic surgical instruments
b
: extremely neat or orderly
especially : neat to the point of being bare or uninteresting
a spare, antiseptic waiting room
c
: free from what is held to be contaminating
an antiseptic version of rustic life
d
: having a cleansing or purifying quality or effect
… the antiseptic effect of sturdy criticism.New Republic
3
a
: coldly impersonal
an antiseptic greeting
b
: of, relating to, or being warfare conducted with cold precision from a safe distance with few or no casualties on one's side
antiseptic bombings
antiseptically adverb

antiseptic

2 of 2

noun

plural antiseptics
: an antiseptic substance : a substance (such as isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine) that destroys or inhibits the growth or action of microorganisms (such as bacteria) especially in or on living tissue (such as the skin or mucous membranes)
clean the wound with an antiseptic

Examples of antiseptic in a Sentence

Adjective known for keeping a strenuously antiseptic kitchen, the floor of which does indeed seem fit for eating off of for such an expensive, elegant Sunday brunch, one would expect the attendants at the buffet tables to be professionally attired in starched, antiseptic white jackets Noun Clean the affected area with an antiseptic. He applied antiseptic to the wound.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
After staging huge anti-government protests in 2017, Navalny was splashed with antiseptic green dye in an attack that damaged his vision in his left eye. Christian Edwards, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Altogether, the avant-garde pad feels modern, minimalist, and a little futuristic (not to mention a bit antiseptic). Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Contents include different types and sizes of bandages and sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, tincture of benzoin, ibuprofen, aspirin, antihistamines, sting relief wipes, splinter tweezers, blister patches, and more. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2024 In 2017, shortly after his team released a video accusing then-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of corruption, unidentified assailants threw green antiseptic in his face during a public appearance. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 In an antiseptic world where everyone was individuals unconnected from families, the new system makes sense. Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2024 My most recent diner cheeseburger was at Old John’s, on the Upper West Side, which for seventy-odd years has served as a spark of life in the strangely antiseptic micro-neighborhood around Lincoln Center. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2024 Each of the options have good quality ingredients proven to have some sort of antiseptic properties or natural ingredients to keep you clean & smelling nice all day long. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2024 The Adventure Kit Ultralight Watertight .5 comes with basic bandages, antiseptic cream, a variety over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, and travel-sized tools to help with splinters, scrapes, and cuts. Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2023
Noun
The water pressure has become too weak to run the sterilization machines that disinfect equipment, meaning the hospital staff are forced to rely on a chemical antiseptic that hasn’t been commonly used for decades. WIRED, 19 Oct. 2023 Your wound dressing should be changed daily for the first five to seven days using a sterile pad and alcohol-free topical antiseptic provided by your healthcare provider. Jennifer Whitlock, Rn, Msn, Fn, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2023 The chemical can also be found in household products like antiseptics, medicines and cosmetics. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 20 Oct. 2023 Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are used as an antiseptic to treat minor cuts, according to Cleveland Clinic. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2022 Similarly, vinegar's active component, acetic acid, is a natural antiseptic that breaks down bacterial DNA and proteins. Leo Deluca, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2023 What to avoid Don't clean a bad cut with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Betadine (an antiseptic). Stacey Colino, Parents, 20 Sep. 2023 Apply an antiseptic: After cleaning the wounds, apply an antiseptic solution or ointment to help prevent infection. Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023 The chamomile has a relaxing effect, as does being an antiseptic. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antiseptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from New Latin antisepticus, from anti- anti- + Latin sēpticus "putrefactive, septic"

Note: New Latin antisepticus is first found in the writing of the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (1668-1738), e.g., Libellus de materie medica et remediorum formulis (Leiden, 1719), and may have been coined by him.

Noun

borrowed from New Latin antiseptica, antisepticum, noun derivatives of antisepticus antiseptic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antiseptic was in 1639

Dictionary Entries Near antiseptic

Cite this Entry

“Antiseptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiseptic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antiseptic

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌant-ə-ˈsep-tik How to pronounce antiseptic (audio)
1
: killing or preventing the growth of germs that cause disease or decay
2
: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptic substances
antiseptically adverb

antiseptic

2 of 2 noun
: a substance that helps stop the growth or action of microorganisms especially in or on living tissue

Medical Definition

antiseptic

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌant-ə-ˈsep-tik How to pronounce antiseptic (audio)
1
: opposing microbial infection
especially : preventing or inhibiting the growth and action of microorganisms in or on living tissue (as the skin or mucous membranes)
an antiseptic oral rinse
topical antiseptic solutions for wounds
In general, the preparation of the skin with one or more antiseptic agents (eg, alcohol, iodine tincture, an iodophor, or chlorhexidine gluconate) applied individually or sequentially in a concentric fashion to the venipuncture site should provide that proper satisfactory antisepsis … Calvin L. Strand et al.
2
: relating to or characterized by the use of antiseptic substances
antiseptic treatment
3
: free of living microorganisms : scrupulously clean : aseptic
antiseptic surgical instruments
antiseptically adverb

antiseptic

2 of 2 noun
: an antiseptic substance : a substance (as hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, or chlorhexidine) that destroys or inhibits the growth or action of microorganisms (as bacteria) especially in or on living tissue (as the skin or mucous membranes)

More from Merriam-Webster on antiseptic

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