Main Entry: ster·il·ize

Variant(s): also British ster·il·ise \ˈster-ə-ˌlīz\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): ster·il·ized also British ster·il·ised; ster·il·iz·ing also British ster·il·is·ing

: 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>

—ster·il·iza·tion \ˌster-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ also British ster·il·isa·tion \-ˌlī-ˈ\ noun