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