Advertisement
Advertisement
sterilize
[ ster-uh-lahyz ]
verb (used with object)
- to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
- to destroy the ability of (a person or animal) to reproduce by removing the sexual organs or inhibiting their functions.
- to make (land) barren or unproductive.
- Informal. to delete or remove anything comprising or damaging from:
to sterilize a government document before releasing it to the press.
- Informal. to isolate or completely protect from unwanted, unauthorized, or unwholesome activities, attitudes, influences, etc.:
You can't sterilize children against violence.
sterilize
/ ˈɛɪˌɪ /
verb
- tr to render sterile; make infertile or barren
Derived Forms
- ˈٱˌ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ٱi·a· adjective
- ٱi·a·i·ٲ noun
- ٱi·e noun
- ·ٱi· verb (used with object) presterilized presterilizing
- ·ٱi· verb (used with object) resterilized resterilizing
- -ٱi· adjective
- ܲ·ٱi· adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of sterilize1
Example Sentences
To address the overpopulation problem, county officials have approved new deals with a local nonprofit to help sterilize and relocate many of the pint-size equines to sanctuaries.
Since 2020, we learned new things about sterilizing immunity, immune memory, and other details of viral infections at a stunning level of detail.
The easiest way to kill off the tardigrades, the researchers argue, would be to sterilize the entire planet, adding 5.6 × 1026 J of energy to make the oceans boil off.
Under such a paradigm history must be sterilized of analysis and ultimately atomized into unrelated instances to make an eternal present, divorced from any transformative potential.
An experimental program seeks to protect California almond trees from a pesky moth by using X-rays to sterilize the insects.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse