pasteurize

verb

pas·​teur·​ize ˈpas-chə-ˌrīz  ˈpas-tyə-  -tə- 

pasteurized; pasteurizing

transitive verb

: to subject to pasteurization

pasteurizer noun

Examples of pasteurize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Drink milk or juice only if it’s pasteurized (heat-treated to kill germs). —Brandi Jones, Health, 5 Oct. 2025

May Lead To Bacterial Infections Keep in mind that drinking fresh juices that haven't been pasteurized or treated to kill bacteria can lead to bacterial illnesses. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025

Unless the produce or the juice has been pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy any harmful bacteria, the juice could be contaminated. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Sep. 2025

Social media personas like Ballerina Farm’s Hannah Neeleman and Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential routinely claim benefits from drinking milk that hasn’t been pasteurized. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Louis Pasteur

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pasteurize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

pasteurize

verb

pas·​teur·​ize ˈpas-chə-ˌrīz  ˈpas-tə- 

pasteurized; pasteurizing

: to expose to pasteurization

pasteurizer noun

Etymology

named for Louis Pasteur 1822–1895 French chemist

Medical Definition

pasteurize

transitive verb

pas·​teur·​ize

variants also British pasteurise

ˈpas-chə-ˌrīz  ˈpas-tə- 

pasteurized also British pasteurised; pasteurizing also British pasteurising

: to subject to pasteurization

pasteurizer noun

also British pasteuriser