sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
ˈster-ə-ˌlīz 
sterilized; sterilizing
: to make (something or someone) sterile: such as
a
: to free from all viable microorganisms (as by the use of steam or dry heat)
sterilize surgical instruments in an autoclave
b(1)
: to deprive of the power of reproducing through surgery
sterilize cats and dogs
(2)
: to make incapable of germination
studied the effects of sterilizing wheat florets
c
: to cause (land) to become unfruitful
There, 1,100-degree pyroclastic flows had sterilized the land.—
Christine Colasurdo
Christine ColasurdoExamples of sterilize in a Sentence
The organization encourages people to sterilize their cats and dogs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Finish cleaning by sterilizing the pots by soaking them for 15-20 minutes in a bucket of 1 part chlorine bleach to 9 parts water.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Each one that can be brought to the clinic is sterilized and vaccinated.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
To sterilize old pots, submerge them in a 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
For businesses with additional labor-intensive requirements — such as a healthcare company that must sterilize each trailer — those same changes can yield savings in the millions.
—Ken Bowles, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sterilize
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Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Each one that can be brought to the clinic is sterilized and vaccinated.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Feb. 2026
To sterilize old pots, submerge them in a 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
For businesses with additional labor-intensive requirements — such as a healthcare company that must sterilize each trailer — those same changes can yield savings in the millions.
—Ken Bowles, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sterilize
Cite this Entry
“Sterilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterilize. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sterilize
verb
ster·il·ize
ˈster-ə-ˌlīz
sterilized; sterilizing
: to make sterile: as
a
: to deprive of the power of reproduction
had their cat sterilized
b
: to free of microscopic living things and especially germs (as bacteria)
sterilize the dental instruments
Medical Definition
sterilize
transitive verb
ster·il·ize
variants
also British sterilise
sterilized also British sterilised; sterilizing also British sterilising
: to make sterile:
a
: to deprive of the power of reproducing
b
: to free from living microorganisms (as by the use of physical or chemical agents)
sterilize a surgical instrument
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