sterilize

[ster-uh-lahyz] /ˈstɛr əˌlaɪz/
verb (used with object), sterilized, sterilizing.
1.
to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
2.
to destroy the ability of (a person or animal) to reproduce by removing the sex organs or inhibiting their functions.
3.
to make (land) barren or unproductive.
4.
Informal. to delete or remove anything comprising or damaging from:
to sterilize a government document before releasing it to the press.
5.
Informal. to isolate or completely protect from unwanted, unauthorized, or unwholesome activities, attitudes, influences, etc.:
You can't sterilize children against violence.
Also, especially British, sterilise.
Origin
1685-95; sterile + -ize
Related forms
sterilizable, adjective
sterilizability, noun
sterilizer, noun
presterilize, verb (used with object), presterilized, presterilizing.
resterilize, verb (used with object), resterilized, resterilizing.
self-sterilized, adjective
unsterilized, adjective
Can be confused
impotence, sterility, sterilized.
Examples from the web for sterilize
  • Even professor folks don't realize that over half of all tattoo parlors don't sterilize their equipment and reuse needles.
  • The method the team used to sterilize the males is too time-consuming for large-scale use in the field.
  • sterilize her, so nothing competes for your living space.
  • During the last decade, they have come into use to sterilize some medical instruments.
  • Flame-sterilize the tap or chemically disinfect the tap.
  • Do not flame-sterilize if the tap is plastic or if aerators are attached.
  • Cold sterilization autoclaves use a cold sterilization liquid to sterilize the contents.
  • Take the precautions of not getting your students sick and sterilize everything when you are done.
  • The process for irradiating mail is the same process used to sterilize medical equipment.
  • So generally pH is not used to sterilize water for this reason.
British Dictionary definitions for sterilize

sterilize

/ˈstɛrɪˌlaɪz/
verb
1.
(transitive) to render sterile; make infertile or barren
Derived Forms
sterilizable, sterilisable, adjective
Word Origin and History for sterilize
v.

"destroy the fertility of," 1690s (in reference to soil), from sterile + -ize; of living things from 1828. Meaning "render free of microorganisms" is from 1878. Related: Sterilized; sterilizing.

sterilize in Medicine

sterilize ster·il·ize (stěr'ə-līz')
v. ster·il·ized, ster·il·iz·ing, ster·il·iz·es

  1. To make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms.

  2. To deprive a person or an animal of the ability to produce offspring, as by removing the reproductive organs.