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
Too much sanitizer, no sanitizer, bad scoops and flies were on the list of problems that caused a West Miami-Dade Sedano’s Supermarket to fail state inspection on Monday.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
The laptop sleeve is inconspicuous but easy to access, and the numerous internal and external pockets keep my essentials—wallet, Airpods, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and snacks—from sinking to the bottom.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Manicure and Pedicure Tools Metal manicure and pedicure tools can benefit from a sanitizer cycle in the dishwasher.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
Dishes, equipment and food contact surfaces were washed in an automatic dish machine without any sanitizer.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitizer
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David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
The laptop sleeve is inconspicuous but easy to access, and the numerous internal and external pockets keep my essentials—wallet, Airpods, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and snacks—from sinking to the bottom.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 30 May 2025
Manicure and Pedicure Tools Metal manicure and pedicure tools can benefit from a sanitizer cycle in the dishwasher.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
Dishes, equipment and food contact surfaces were washed in an automatic dish machine without any sanitizer.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 May 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 17 Jun. 2025.
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