disinfect

[ dis-in-fekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cleanse (rooms, wounds, clothing, etc.) of infection; destroy disease germs in.

disinfect

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈfɛkt /

verb

1. tr to rid of microorganisms potentially harmful to man, esp by chemical means

Derived Forms

• ˌdisinˈfection, noun
• ˌdisinˈfector, noun

Other Words From

• dis·in·fec·tion noun
• dis·in·fec·tive adjective
• dis·in·fec·tor noun
• re·dis·in·fect verb (used with object)
• un·dis·in·fect·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disinfect¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French desinfecter, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + infecter “to die, taint, poison”; infect

Example Sentences

The company is currently working to disinfect the plant and retrain its employees.

From Salon

Disinfect the pots, flats and cell packs before planting to avoid problems with damping off and other diseases.

From Seattle Times

When health officials from Beijing arrived in Wuhan on Dec. 31, they decided to disinfect the market before collecting samples, destroying critical information about the virus.

From Seattle Times

She then used a high-frequency scalp therapy device to disinfect my pores, a treatment the spa said would fortify hair follicles.

From Los Angeles Times

However, even in the face of well-implemented strategies to disinfect facilities and control for microbial risks, microbes such as listeria can occasionally breach food safety barriers and cross-contaminate food products.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cleanse
• decontaminate
• sanitize
• sterilize