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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the sanitizer measured zero parts per million instead of 100 ppm. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025 Peter and Rose force-seal the vents of the top four floors by setting off a fire inside with sulfuric acid and hand sanitizer, a little lesson Dr. Cole. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025 The shelter has also taken safety precautions including making hand sanitizer readily available. Jen Christensen, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 Inspectors watched an employee wash tongs with only soap, skipping the sanitizer step. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near sanitizer

Cite this Entry

“Sanitizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitizer. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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