disinfectant

noun

dis·​in·​fec·​tant ˌdis-in-ˈfek-tənt How to pronounce disinfectant (audio)
plural disinfectants
: an agent used to disinfect something
especially : a chemical agent that is used especially on hard surfaces and in water (such as drinking water or wastewater) to destroy, inactivate, or significantly reduce the concentration of pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi)

Note: Common chemical disinfectants include chlorine, calcium and sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, phenol, ethanol, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Disinfectants are often distinguished from sterilants by having reduced effectiveness against dormant bacterial endospores.

Examples of disinfectant in a Sentence

They use a strong disinfectant on the medical equipment. Clean the area with disinfectant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Becca Crandall and Bentley Rosser of Beck Cleaning and Organization recommend wiping down the inside and outside of your trash cans with disinfectant wipes to remove any remaining food particles. Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025 Wipe down the rest of the fridge with a commercial or homemade bleach disinfectant, then dry completely with a paper towel. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025 Yet for all its complicated planning, switching over to the new disinfectant plant requires a simple turn of a blue valve. Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025 And some travelers, especially those going to the Maldives, Australia, and other countries that spray insecticide and disinfectant on arriving flights, wrap their luggage in plastic to protect their contents from the chemicals. Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disinfectant

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disinfectant was in 1837

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disinfectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinfectant. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

disinfectant

noun
dis·​in·​fect·​ant
dis-ᵊn-ˈfek-tənt
: something (as a chemical) that is able to destroy harmful germs (as bacteria and fungi)
disinfectant adjective

Medical Definition

disinfectant

1 of 2 noun
dis·​in·​fec·​tant -ˈfek-tənt How to pronounce disinfectant (audio)
: an agent (as a chemical or ultraviolet light) that destroys, inactivates, or significantly reduces the concentration of pathogens (as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) especially on hard surfaces and in water (as drinking water or wastewater)
also : a preparation or formulation containing one or more disinfectants along with additional additives (as water and fragrance)

Note: Common chemical disinfectants include chlorine, calcium and sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, phenol, ethanol, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Disinfectants are often distinguished from sterilants by having reduced effectiveness against dormant bacterial endospores.

disinfectant

2 of 2 adjective
: serving or tending to disinfect : suitable for use in disinfecting
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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