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

With the antibacterial system in place, researchers created precise bacterial patterns. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Dec. 2025

Thyme – Thyme has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties in addition to helping to clear mucous. —Mélanie Nauche, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025

Wounds and Infections Several studies have found that garlic has strong antibacterial and antifungal capabilities. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 Dec. 2025

Granite is one of the hardest stones used in interior applications and has antibacterial traits. —Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 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