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

The most common sanitizer used in home kitchens is chlorine bleach. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 28 June 2026

Despite its compact size, the 1-liter bag has enough room for all of your sightseeing essentials, including your phone, wallet, passport, sunglasses, keys, and hand sanitizer, without ever feeling bulky or weighing you down. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

The dishwasher had no sanitizer — all sanitizing would have to be done manually in the third compartment of the three-compartment sink. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Stock up with the carry-on necessities like Tower 28’s hand sanitizer-esque Hypochlorous Acid Facial Spray and the Summer Fridays Mini Skin Care Set. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sanitizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser