germicidal

adjective

ger·​mi·​cid·​al ˌjər-mə-ˈsī-dᵊl How to pronounce germicidal (audio)
: of or relating to a germicide
also : destroying germs

Examples of germicidal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Linda Anderson keys in a code and steps out of a room at Mercy Anderson Hospital as an ultraviolet germicidal robot kicks on, lights up and kills sneaky germs that might’ve been skipped over with other disinfecting routines. Terry Demio, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2020 Some products sold now that claim to be germicidal are actually the wrong wavelength, says Andrea Armani, a chemical engineering and materials scientist at the University of Southern California. Jeanne Erdmann, Discover Magazine, 3 Aug. 2020 Humans have known for over a hundred years that UV radiation can kill deadly germs, and hospitals have used germicidal 254-nm UVC to sterilize objects for decades. IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023 The key goal of using a UV germicidal lamp on a robot relates to its ability to position itself at many locations thus providing wide disinfecting coverage. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2023 Some researchers are similarly enthusiastic about the promise of germicidal lighting. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2022 In those, schools could consider turning to HEPA filters or germicidal UV, Bahnfleth said. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2022 Another option may be ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 21 June 2022 Even with caution, accidental exposure of germicidal ultraviolet light can occur, leaving people at risk for painful burns and scarring. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'germicidal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of germicidal was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near germicidal

Cite this Entry

“Germicidal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/germicidal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

germicidal

adjective
ger·​mi·​cid·​al ˌjər-mə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce germicidal (audio)
: of or relating to a germicide
also : destroying germs

Medical Definition

germicidal

adjective
ger·​mi·​cid·​al ˌjər-mə-ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce germicidal (audio)
: of or relating to a germicide
also : destroying germs

More from Merriam-Webster on germicidal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!