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 The city does not chlorinate its water supply because Minnesota systems that draw water from groundwater sources are not required to add disinfectant. Staff Report, Twin Cities, 13 Feb. 2024 Who are bleach baths for? While bleach has been used as a disinfectant for years, researchers have only studied its eczema-soothing potential relatively recently. Amy Norton, SELF, 8 Feb. 2024 The good news: Adding a disinfectant to the toilet bowl before flushing and using disinfectant dispensers in the tank significantly reduce cross-contamination. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2024 Closing the lid – along with routine use of disinfectants and hand washing – can help keep things sanitary. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 That bottle does not hold medical-grade disinfectant. Samar Abu Elouf, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023 The scents included orange, lavender, vanilla extract, cumin, whiskey, red wine, ketchup, cough syrup, disinfectant and shoe polish. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2024 These spores tend to survive harsh conditions like extreme temperatures (pasteurization), drying, and even some disinfectants. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Feb. 2024 Given that the chemical is used as a cleaner and disinfectant, Ramos admits to having some reservations going in. Amy Norton, SELF, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disinfectant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disinfectant was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near disinfectant

Cite this Entry

“Disinfectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinfectant. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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