disinfects; disinfected; disinfecting
1
: to clean (something) especially by using a chemical substance that kills all germs and bacteria
Chemicals were added to disinfect the water.
The wound needs to be disinfected.
a clean, disinfected knife
2
computers
: to remove a virus from (a computer) by using a special program
Cite this Entry
“Disinfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/disinfect. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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