antibacterial

adjective

an·​ti·​bac·​te·​ri·​al ˌan-tē-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl  ˌan-ˌtī- 

: directed or effective against bacteria

antibacterial soap

an antibacterial drug

antibacterial noun

In an effort to develop new antifungals, scientists are boning up on previous research on antibacterials.

—Ellen Licking

Examples of antibacterial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

May Have Antiviral and Antibacterial Properties Cloves contain compounds that have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Mar. 2026

For periodontitis, your dentist may give you an antibacterial mouth rinse. —Erin Meanley, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026

Mugwort is another traditional Korean ingredient known to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. —Charlotte Cho, Allure, 1 Mar. 2026

The resulting fabrics have higher air permeability than pure silk and exhibit near-100 percent antibacterial performance without chemical treatments, according to lab tests cited by the university. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antibacterial

• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• arterial
• bacterial
• ethereal
• funereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal
• cereal
• virial

Kids Definition

antibacterial

adjective

an·​ti·​bac·​te·​ri·​al

ˌant-ē-ˌbak-ˈtir-ē-əl, 

ˌan-ˌtī-ˌbak-

: directed or effective against bacteria

antibacterial soap

Medical Definition

antibacterial

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​bac·​te·​ri·​al ˌant-i-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl  ˌan-ˌtī- 

: directed or effective against bacteria

antibacterial

2 of 2 noun

: an antibacterial agent