antiseptic

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

Clean the affected area with an antiseptic.

He applied antiseptic to the wound.

Recent Examples on the Web

Oen-Hsiao recommended sticking with alcohol-free mouthwash and avoiding products with broad-spectrum antiseptics, such as cetylpyridinium chloride and chlorhexidine. —Laura Bradley, Health, 3 June 2026

The patient wouldn’t have had the benefit of modern anesthetics, but archaeological traces at other sites suggest Neanderthals knew about medicinal plants like chamomile and yarrow, as well as antiseptics like birch tar. —ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026

How Peroxide Cleans Your Kitchen Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that kills germs and bacteria on hard surfaces. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Mar. 2026

That simple antiseptic has a multitude of hidden powers. —Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antiseptic

• epileptic
• neuroleptic
• antiepileptic
• aseptic
• dyspeptic
• organoleptic
• peptic
• sceptic
• septic
• skeptic

Kids Definition

antiseptic

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​sep·​tic ˌant-ə-ˈsep-tik 

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

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

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 

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

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

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)