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
Saeed Rayyan, a Gaza resident, sells chlorine to sterilize tents and clothes.
—Abeer Salman, CNN, 9 Sep. 2024
No washing or sterilizing parts necessary, and no need to lug a pump to the office.
—Kelsey Butler, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024
During Jim Crow, the idea was used as justification for sterilizing Black people.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2024
In commercial settings such as nail salons, make sure the technicians have sterilized nail grooming tools before using them on you.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize 
Abeer Salman, CNN, 9 Sep. 2024
No washing or sterilizing parts necessary, and no need to lug a pump to the office.
—Kelsey Butler, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024
During Jim Crow, the idea was used as justification for sterilizing Black people.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2024
In commercial settings such as nail salons, make sure the technicians have sterilized nail grooming tools before using them on you.
—Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 28 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterilize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sterilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterilize. Accessed 20 Sep. 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
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