hygienic

adjective

hy·​gien·​ic ˌhī-ˈjē-nik How to pronounce hygienic (audio) -ˈje- How to pronounce hygienic (audio)
also
-jē-ˈe-nik How to pronounce hygienic (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to hygiene
b
: having or showing good hygiene
hygienic conditions
2
a
: antiseptic sense 2c
sweetly hygienic production … comic in an entirely innocuous wayJ. W. Aldridge
b
: antiseptic sense 3
a hygienic view of national realities and moral imperativesI. L. Horowitz
hygienically adverb

Examples of hygienic in a Sentence

For hygienic reasons, restaurants should wash silverware and drinking glasses more than once. The hygienic conditions of the operating room are maintained by the nursing staff. The prisoners' living quarters were not hygienic.
Recent Examples on the Web Your Questions, Answered What is the most hygienic cutting board material? Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024 Some also noted that the headrest covers are there for hygienic purposes and shouldn’t be moved. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024 The mop feature has disposable pads for easy and hygienic use. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Most spin mops are hygienic as a result of their operating system. Jenna Clark, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2023 Additionally, a leakproof lunchbox prevents cross-contamination between different food items, keeping them hygienic and safe to consume. Haley Lyndes, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2023 The silky serum layered well with other products and the pump packaging allowed for hygienic storage and application. Kayla Blanton, Health, 29 Aug. 2023 Then, to maintain it, regularly sift out debris and disinfect the sandbox’s walls to ensure your children are playing in a hygienic environment. Alesandra Dubin, Parents, 31 July 2023 The hypothesis suggests that people who grew up in hygienic environments did not get exposed to microbes that would give their immune systems an important boost. Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 31 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hygienic.' 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

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hygienic was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near hygienic

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

hygienic

adjective
: of, relating to, or leading toward good health or hygiene
hygienically adverb

Medical Definition

hygienic

adjective
: of, relating to, or conducive to health or hygiene
hygienically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on hygienic

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