sanitize

verb san·i·tize \ ˈsa-nə-ˌtīz \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Examples: sanitize in a Sentence

Definition of sanitize

sanitized; sanitizing

transitive verb

1 : to make sanitary (as by cleaning or sterilizing)

2 : to make more acceptable by removing unpleasant or undesired features

attempts to sanitize historical accounts

—

sanitization

play \ˌsa-nə-tə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See sanitize defined for English-language learners

See sanitize defined for kids

Examples of sanitize in a Sentence

The housekeeping staff sanitized the bathroom.
They're trying to sanitize the news.

Recent Examples of sanitize from the Web

Kitty’s has been ordered to clean and sanitize its facility.

— sophia eppolito, BostonGlobe.com, "North Reading restaurant closes after salmonella outbreak sickens up to 39 people," 10 July 2018
But content to be yet another great-man biopic, the movie would rather sanitize than probe.

— edouard deluc, New York Times, "Review: ‘Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti’ Doesn’t Make Much of a (Post-) Impression," 10 July 2018
The facts behind Thanksgiving, chattel slavery, the civil war, internment camps, mass incarceration, and even the national anthem are all sanitized for over-the-counter consumption, available in chewable vitamin form at a drugstore near you.

— vic mensa, Teen Vogue, "Vic Mensa: Don't Ask Me to Love America When It Doesn't Love Me," 4 July 2018
Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Roaches in oven, sewage on floor, flies in the fries. These restaurants are in trouble," 21 June 2018
Clean and sanitize everything from oven and dish drying racks to light switch covers in the dishwasher.

— NBC News, "How to spring clean like a pro," 10 Aug. 2017
CLIMB Works is using bottled water, has sanitized the facility and posted signs warning visitors not to drink water in the bathrooms, WBIR reported.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "E. coli sickens hundreds on zip line tours in popular resort town," 11 July 2018
The 20-second process involves nozzles spraying and sanitizing every surface of the bathroom, followed by ultraviolet lights that kill 99 percent of all the germs.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "This New Luxury Airline Is Offering Private Jet Travel at a Fraction of the Price," 9 July 2018
As part of the clean up process, carpets that were too damaged to be sanitized and repaired are being removed.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "State employees in Catonsville hospital complex relocated because of flooding," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sanitize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sanitize

Latin sanitas

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1836

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SANITIZE Defined for English Language Learners

sanitize

verb

Definition of sanitize for English Language Learners

: to make (something) free from dirt, infection, disease, etc., by cleaning it : to make (something) sanitary
: to make (something) more pleasant and acceptable by taking things that are unpleasant or offensive out of it

Medical Dictionary

sanitize

transitive verb san·i·tize

variants: also British sanitise play \ˈsan-ə-ˌtīz\

medical Definition of sanitize

sanitized also British sanitised; sanitizing also British sanitising

: to make sanitary (as by cleaning or sterilizing)

sanitize all surfaces with a solution of bleach and water

—

sanitization

also British sanitisation play \ˌsan-ət-ə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

Learn More about sanitize

See words that rhyme with sanitize Spanish Central: Translation of sanitize Nglish: Translation of sanitize for Spanish speakers

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sanitize

Definition of sanitize

sanitization

Examples of sanitize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sanitize from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sanitize

SANITIZE Defined for English Language Learners

sanitize

Definition of sanitize for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

sanitize

medical Definition of sanitize

sanitization

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sanitize

Definition of sanitize

sanitization

Examples of sanitize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sanitize from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sanitize

SANITIZE Defined for English Language Learners

sanitize

Definition of sanitize for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

sanitize

medical Definition of sanitize

sanitization

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