inactivate

American

[in-ak-tuh-veyt] / ɪnˈæk təˌveɪt /

verb (used with object)

inactivated, inactivating

to make inactive.

The bomb was inactivated.
Immunology. to stop the activity of (certain biological substances).

inactivate British

/ ɪnˈæktɪˌveɪt /

verb

(tr) to render inactive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

inactivation noun

Etymology

Origin of inactivate

First recorded in 1905–10; inactive + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pasteurization and proper cooking techniques inactivate the virus.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

However, wood's ability to inactivate viruses has yet to be explored, which is what Varpu Marjomäki and colleagues set out to study.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

Research so far has shown that virus particles end up in the milk of infected cows, but that pasteurization will inactivate the virus.

From Salon • May 20, 2024

Pasteurization should also inactivate flu viruses, which are known to be fragile and heat-sensitive, experts said.

From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2024

Extracts in which no attempt was made to inactivate the enzymes present proved unsatisfactory.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023