sanitize

[ san-i-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, san·i·tized, san·i·tiz·ing.

1. to free from dirt, germs, etc., as by cleaning or sterilizing.
2. to make less offensive by eliminating anything unwholesome, objectionable, incriminating, etc.:

   to sanitize a document before releasing it to the press.

sanitize

/ ˈsænɪˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to make sanitary or hygienic, as by sterilizing
2. to omit unpleasant details from (a news report, document, etc) to make it more palatable to the recipients

Derived Forms

• ˌsanitiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• sani·ti·zation noun
• un·sani·tized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanitize¹

First recorded in 1830–40; sanit(ary) + -ize

Example Sentences

Also be sure to wash your hands before and after working out, and if you need to touch your face midway through, soap up or sanitize your hands first.

From Popular-Science

Permar recommends washing or sanitizing your hands “any time you are changing activities or locations—after a car stop, after eating, after a bathroom trip, and after going into and out of a building.”

From Outside Online

The baby care cycle uses steam to sanitize everything quickly while you tend to other tasks.

From Popular-Science

The county’s chief epidemiologist has previously said that his team works with any that has experienced an outbreak to ensure the facility is properly sanitized or shut down if needed.

From Voice of San Diego

That’s also a reason for frequent handwashing, cleaning of surfaces and other sanitizing steps.

From Science News For Students

But before you can say, "can someone please sanitize those jungle bars," we've had a complete change of scenery.

From The Daily Beast

After their poop is collected, it is run under a UV light to sanitize it.

From The Daily Beast

You would try to wash them; you would try to sanitize them in some way.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• decontaminate
• disinfect