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

Include things like toilet paper, tissues, personal sanitation products, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and wipes. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2026

The three-compartment sink had rodent droppings underneath, but no sanitizer inside. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Teachers are feeling the squeeze, too The high prices are also affecting teachers, many of whom must pay out-of-pocket to supply their classrooms with essential items like tissues, wipes, hand sanitizers, paper and pencils. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

When soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol works as a backup. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 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