disinfect

verb

dis·​in·​fect ˌdis-in-ˈfekt 

disinfected; disinfecting; disinfects

transitive verb

1

: to cleanse (a surface, a device, a supply of water, etc.) by destroying, inactivating, or significantly reducing the concentration of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) : to treat (something) with a disinfectant (such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite)

… medical experts say some scopes can be difficult to disinfect through conventional cleaning because of their design, so bacteria are transmitted from patient to patient.

—Chad Terhune

Trihalomethanes are chemicals formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with organic matter, such as animal waste, treated sewage, leaves, or soil.

—Emily Main

Clean your humidifier often. Although some parts may be washable in the dishwasher, they still need to be descaled with vinegar and disinfected with bleach.

—Consumer Reports

2

: to relieve (something) of some undesirable quality likened to a disease or infection

But the big question is this: If the bill becomes law, will it truly disinfect our politics?

—Nancy Gibbs and Karen Tumulty

3

: to remove a software virus (see virus sense 3) from (a computer or device) often by means of a special program

The earliest viruses were relatively simple routines, and virus detectors could easily disinfect computers.

—Philips Chien

Examples of disinfect in a Sentence

Chemicals were added to disinfect the water.

The wound needs to be disinfected.

Recent Examples on the Web

The system simultaneously disinfects and shreds lab plastics on site via a chemical process. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Ways to prevent spreading COVID-19 include avoiding close contact with people who have symptoms, washing your hands regularly and disinfecting high contact surfaces regularly, the Mayo Clinic said. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026

However, cleaning experts emphasize its limitations; vinegar lacks the capability to disinfect certain germs and bacteria effectively. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 18 Aug. 2026

Disinfect your footwear To disinfect footwear, thoroughly wash the outside of the shoe. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French desinfecter, from des- dis- + infecter to infect

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for disinfect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disconnect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• indirect
• intellect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

Kids Definition

disinfect

verb

dis·​in·​fect ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfekt 

: to cleanse of germs that might cause disease

disinfection

-ˈfek-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

disinfect

transitive verb

dis·​in·​fect ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfekt 

: to destroy, inactivate, or significantly reduce the concentration of pathogenic agents (as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) especially on hard surfaces and in water : to treat (something) with a disinfectant (as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite)

… formaldehyde is used to disinfect … dialyzers (artificial kidneys) that are reprocessed and reused only by the same patient.

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

The circulating surgical technologist … transfers the patients to the operating table; positions the patient; washes, shaves, and disinfects the incision site; and otherwise prepares the patient.

—Barbara M. Swanson, Careers in Health Care