sterilize

[ ster-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, ster·i·lized, ster·i·liz·ing.

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 sexual 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.

sterilize

/ ˈstɛrɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to render sterile; make infertile or barren

Derived Forms

• ˈsteriˌlizable, adjective

Other Words From

• steri·liza·ble adjective
• steri·liza·bili·ty noun
• steri·lizer noun
• pre·steri·lize verb (used with object) presterilized presterilizing
• re·steri·lize verb (used with object) resterilized resterilizing
• self-steri·lized adjective
• un·steri·lized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterilize¹

First recorded in 1685–95; sterile + -ize

Example Sentences

An experimental program seeks to protect California almond trees from a pesky moth by using X-rays to sterilize the insects.

From Los Angeles Times

The curious calico and her orange tomcat friend, Monu, had recently been sterilized and returned to the market.

From Salon

But with limited budgets and climate change threatening to make the pest situation worse, researchers are studying another yet-to-be-proven approach: sterilizing almost a million moths a day with radiation and dropping them out of planes.

From Los Angeles Times

Ultimately, it’s up to retailers to remove affected products from the case and sterilize equipment properly.

From Salon

He noted that one machine his team is working on — a smart steamer that sterilizes soil — can be used near schools, where people don’t want “nasty chemical stuff.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• castrate
• decontaminate
• disinfect
• neuter
• pasteurize
• sanitize
• spay