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 The man unloaded numerous boxes of Miracle Brands hand sanitizer onto the pavement. Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 New York inmates bottled hand sanitizer during a shortage. Matthew Desmond, The New York Review of Books, 28 Dec. 2023 The three-compartment sink had a chlorine chemical sanitizer level of 0 ppm. Michael Braga, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Prepaid reservations are $15 per person, which includes two seltzers, a souvenir cup and koozie. COVID-19 regulations include mask wearing for anyone who is not seated at a table, hand sanitizer, contactless menus and limiting capacity to 50 guests inside. Deanna Taylor, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The sling bag has a button-closure compartment that’s slim enough to hold hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and a larger zipper compartment ideal for storing a phone, wallet, and keys. Andie Kanaras, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2024 People should always thoroughly wash their hands and use hand sanitizer, especially if someone in the household is infected with a virus, Gerba said. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 No sanitizer in the dishwasher means the dishwasher didn’t do the whole job. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 Always have some hand sanitizer with you, and use diligently. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sanitizer.' 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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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