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

That’s why some folks carry antibacterial wipes, a good dollar aisle pickup when grocery shopping. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

The silver gallium functions as a natural antibacterial agent, and was found in animal testing to fight infection at the joint implantation site. —New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2025

Rubbing alcohol, which is a combination of water and isopropyl alcohol, has antibacterial and antifungal properties. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Oct. 2025

Follow with an antibacterial or sudsy wipe and a squirt of odorizer spray or a sheet of scented fabric softener. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025

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