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
The particles aren't easily killed by hand sanitizers and can linger on surfaces for up to two weeks.
—Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Floria’s every move is that of a benign fury: her confident stride through the ward, the ritual of her muscular applications of hand sanitizer countless times a day, her practiced handling and application of catheters, needles and syringes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Absolut Vodka bottles stuffed with cloths doused in hand sanitizer.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Also pack medications and personal hygiene items, including a hairbrush, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
—Terri Daxon, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitizer
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Floria’s every move is that of a benign fury: her confident stride through the ward, the ritual of her muscular applications of hand sanitizer countless times a day, her practiced handling and application of catheters, needles and syringes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
Absolut Vodka bottles stuffed with cloths doused in hand sanitizer.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Also pack medications and personal hygiene items, including a hairbrush, toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
—Terri Daxon, Orange County Register, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sanitizer
Articles Related to sanitizer
Cite this Entry
“Sanitizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanitizer. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share