sanitizer

noun

san·​i·​tiz·​er ˈsa-nə-ˌtī-zər How to pronounce sanitizer (audio)
plural sanitizers
: a substance or product that is used to reduce or eliminate pathogenic agents (such as bacteria) on surfaces
Sales of alcohol-based hand sanitizers were up nearly 17% as of the first week of September compared to the same period last year …Laura Landro
"Carvacrol could potentially be used as a food sanitizer … particularly in conjunction with other antimicrobials," says Kelly Bright, associate research scientist in the department of soil, water, and environmental science at the University of Arizona.Daniel Stolt
also : a device used in sanitizing
This ozone-generating sanitizer looks like a miniature tanning bed for your manual toothbrush—and it emits ultraviolet light (UV) to kill 99.9 percent of brush germs. Malinda Govoni
Among the equipment that impressed him: … A wall-mounted food sanitizer that diverts water from the sink tap and charges it with ozone before dispensing it through the aerator for produce cleaning. Howard Riell

Examples of sanitizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The four fragrances will be available to purchase in a wide assortment, including three-wick candles, fine fragrance mists, body creams, body washes, foaming hand soaps, hand sanitizer sprays, laundry care, decor and wallflowers. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025 The scents can be found in numerous Bath & Body Works products, including body wash, body cream, candles, fine fragrance mist, foaming hand soap and hand sanitizer spray. Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 The wiping cloth sanitizer bucket also measured nothing as it hadn’t even been made. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Inspectors gave the Sacramento coffee shop a yellow placard after watching an employee skip the sanitizer step when washing a tray of cups and forks. Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sanitizer

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanitizer was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“Sanitizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitizer. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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