disinfection

noun

dis·​in·​fec·​tion ˌdis-in-ˈfek-shən 

plural disinfections

: the act of disinfecting something

especially : the process of using a disinfectant to destroy, inactivate, or significantly reduce the concentration of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi)

Both viruses are susceptible to disinfection by a weak solution of chlorine bleach.

—Margaret Reister

… a virulent strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria spreads beyond hospital walls, some communities are taking extreme measures such as closing schools for disinfection.

—Laura Landro

Examples of disinfection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company’s current expansion efforts are derived from the dire need for restoration, disinfection, and bioremediation services on a national scale. —William Mullane, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

As the pandemic heightened this awareness, disinfection, toxins and safeguards have become top priorities. —Josh Bruni, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Many in the medical community consider stethoscope disinfection practices to be unregulated, inconsistent and inadequate. —Diskcover, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

Authorities in the Czech Republic, relatively distant from the Hungarian and Slovakian farms where the disease has been detected, have introduced disinfection measures at all five border crossings used by freight trucks entering the country. —Arkansas Online, 31 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1722, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disinfection

• circumspection
• disaffection
• disconnection
• dorsiflexion
• imperfection
• indirection
• insurrection
• intellection
• interjection
• intersection
• introjection
• introspection