sanitizer
noun
san·i·tiz·er
ˈsa-nə-ˌtī-zər 
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
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
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
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
Howard Riell Examples of sanitizer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Do not mix laundry detergent and laundry sanitizer together.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
Invest in backpacks with luggage sleeves and load them up with essentials for the flight: a change of clothes, something warm, hand sanitizer, diapers, wet wipes, snacks, coloring books, and non-noisy, mess-free toys.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
The main pocket has plenty of room for your keys plus a few other accessories like makeup or travel size hand sanitizer and lotion.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
If public restroom germs make your skin crawl (and your urge to poop vanish), Dr. Levy recommends bringing portable Clorox wipes, travel-size sanitizers, or even crafting a makeshift toilet seat cover from paper.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitizer
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Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
Invest in backpacks with luggage sleeves and load them up with essentials for the flight: a change of clothes, something warm, hand sanitizer, diapers, wet wipes, snacks, coloring books, and non-noisy, mess-free toys.
—Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2025
The main pocket has plenty of room for your keys plus a few other accessories like makeup or travel size hand sanitizer and lotion.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 May 2025
If public restroom germs make your skin crawl (and your urge to poop vanish), Dr. Levy recommends bringing portable Clorox wipes, travel-size sanitizers, or even crafting a makeshift toilet seat cover from paper.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitizer
Cite this Entry
“Sanitizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitizer. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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