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

"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

This is coupled with good hand hygiene, including washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn't available. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023

Respiratory illnesses: Certain UV sanitizers yield ozone, a gas. —Claire Gillespie, Health, 3 Sep. 2023

Your favorite germ fighter can now rid his home of bacteria using this UVC light sanitizer. —Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 10 Nov. 2023

In one of the videos, Jones is seen squirting what appears to be hand sanitizer on his head and shirtless body before going off screen. —Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 14 Oct. 2023

Sunscreen, bug spray, after sun lotion, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, and soap — all with all-natural ingredients — are included in the room. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2023

The station was cited for not having sanitizer in the three-compartment sink or sanitizer buckets, which cost Munchie’s five points. —Howard Koplowitz | [e-mail], al, 1 Sep. 2023

Have a durable emergency go bag ready with essentials including four food bars, 4.25-ounce water pouches, a flashlight (smoke darkens daylight), folded flame-suppression blanket and small first-aid kit with bandages, hand sanitizer, gloves, ointment, pain reliever [ibuprofen] and ice packs. —Jeastman, oregonlive, 26 Aug. 2023

Hand sanitizer should be used as an assistant to regular handwashing, not a replacement, as there are pathogens that cannot be killed by the alcohol in sanitizer. —Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above