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
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.
This model is known for its deep-cleaning performance and hygienic bin emptying and includes a two-year warranty. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 27 Aug. 2025 The short, which addresses period poverty, or the lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products, was developed through Black Girls Film Camp and screened as part of UFF’s programming. Jonel Juste, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025 Unfortunately, that strategy would be hygienic only for the pooper. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2025 Best Budget: Bubble Knock Out Acne Spot Treatment Pros: Affordable; reduces swelling and pimple size within hours Cons: The sponge-tip applicator isn’t the most hygienic At only $12, this is the most affordable spot treatment on this list, yet just as effective as its pricier counterparts. Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hygienic

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hygienic was in 1833

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Cite this Entry

“Hygienic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hygienic. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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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